The authors of the article are very careful to make the point that just because the facts of the Genovese case are incorrect doesn't shed any negative light on Latane and Darley's extensive work on bystander intervention. The only potential negative they see is that the story may have diverted researchers from considering (and therefore researching) the potential for a positive impact of groups on individual helping behavior, such as we saw at 911, Katrina and other disasters where people rush in to help. Good point I think.
Michael www.thepsychfiles.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yes, I don't believe the fact that the story was not as advertised makes > it any less an inspiration for the work of Darley and Latane and others. > It might make an interesting historical footnote to note that (not for the > first time in human history) an endeavor was embarked upon with less than > a complete understanding of the precipitating event. The Spanish-American > war is no less a fact whether the USS Maine was sunk by sabotage or an > accidental explosion. I think the perception of the Kitty Genovese > incident can easily be cited as a motivating factor for the subsequent > line of research but it should not be cited as evidence, in any way, for > any particular theory of helping behavior. Anecdotes can be used to > illustrate theoretical principles but they are not generally useful for > testing the validity of those theories. > > Rick > > Dr. Rick Froman, Chair > Division of Humanities and Social Sciences > Box 3055 > x7295 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.jbu.edu/academics/hss/faculty/rfroman.asp > > Proverbs 14:15 "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives > thought to his steps." > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2007 9:11 AM > To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) > Subject: Re: [tips] Article on Kitty Genovese in American Psychologist > > Thanks Michael. I've been teaching this story with a lot of hedging thrown > in for several years. I can't remember when or how it was first brought to > my attention but I'd bet it was on tips. > > However, let me also state that I am very careful not to toss the baby out > with the bathwater--I go to great pains to make sure that my students, not > a one of whom has ever heard of the Kitty Genovese case and really could > care less--that the subsequent work by Latane and Darling is quite good > and has demonstrated an important social psychological principle. > Replications are a dime a dozen and very robust. > > Annette > > > Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. > Professor of Psychology > University of San Diego > 5998 Alcala Park > San Diego, CA 92110 > 619-260-4006 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > --- > -- Michael Britt, Ph.D. Host of The Psych Files Psychology in Everyday Life [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---
