The Kindness of Strangers

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

09/20/21 • 32 min

5.0

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When Kitty Genovese was murdered, her family and the wider world was told that bystanders watched, but did nothing to intervene. Psychologists tried to explain this callous inaction with a popular theory - the "bystander effect".

Dr Laurie Santos was taught this theory - that most people won't in step help - but talking to Kitty's brother and Lady Gaga's mother she reveals that the "bystander effect" is wrong. People do like helping out, and we get a happiness boost from being kind. So how do we encourage more bystanders to intervene?

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09/20/21 • 32 min

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5.0

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The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos - The Kindness of Strangers

Transcript Summary

In this captivating episode titled "The Kindness of Strangers," you'll discover the transformative power of kindness and the importance of helping others. Being prompted to be active increases the likelihood of lending a helping hand, while uncertainty can sometimes hinder our ability to act. The Born This Way Foundation, co-founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, champions kindness and encourages bystander intervention. Acts of kindness not only impact individual happiness but also foster social connection. Delving into the infamous murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964, the episode challenges the commonly held belief that bystanders didn't intervene. Investigating the truth, Bill Genovese, Kitty's brother, uncovers evidence that many reported witnesses didn't actually witness the crime, and some tried to help. Tune in to explore the profound effects of kindness and the potential impact it can have on our well-being and society.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:15.435

Pushkin. On the morning of March thirteenth, nineteen sixty four, a murder took place in Queens, New York that shook the entire country. The crime itself was awful, but the behavior of bystanders who witnessed the event caused widespread revulsion in years of national soul searching. The incident became the impetus for setting up the nine one one emergency call system that we have today and transformed the path of psychological research for decad

The Kindness of Strangers Top Questions Answered

What happened to Kitty Genovese in 1964?

Kitty Genovese was brutally attacked and murdered outside her apartment building in New York City.

How many bystanders witnessed the attack on Kitty Genovese?

38 bystanders witnessed the attack on Kitty Genovese.

What did psychologists John Darley and Bibb Latané study in 1968?

John Darley and Bibb Latané conducted an experiment in 1968 to understand why people fail to help in emergencies.

What percentage of subjects took action to help when they believed they were the only ones hearing an emergency?

When subjects believed they were the only ones hearing the emergency, 85% took action to help within a minute.

How can instructing people to be active and help affect their likelihood of offering assistance?

Instructing people to be active and help increases the likelihood of them offering assistance.

What factors can prevent people from helping in emergency situations?

Uncertainty about what to do and societal expectations can prevent people from helping in emergency situations.

Who co-founded the Born This Way Foundation?

Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germinata co-founded the Born This Way Foundation.

What does the Born This Way Foundation promote and support?

The Born This Way Foundation promotes kindness and helps teens support one another. They encourage bystander intervention and random acts of kindness.

Can witnessing acts of kindness have an impact on individuals?

Yes, witnessing acts of kindness can inspire and motivate individuals to be kind themselves.

How can small acts of kindness impact happiness?

Small acts of kindness, such as checking on a friend or offering support, can have a significant impact and boost happiness for both the giver and the receiver.

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