阅读理解。
When an emergency (紧急) situation occurs, observers are more likely to take action if there are few
or no other witnesses (目击者). This phenomenon (现象) is referred to as the "bystander effect".
The bystander effect is also called the "Genovese effect", which is named after Catherine Genovese,
a young woman who was cruelly murdered on March 13, 1964. Early in the morning, 28-year-old
Genovese was returning home from work. As she approached her apartment entrance, she was attacked
and stabbed (刺) by a man later identified as Winston Moseley. Despite Genovese's repeated cries for
help, none of the dozen or so people in the nearby apartment building who heard her cries called police
for help. The attack first began at 3:20, but it was not until 3:50 that someone first contacted police.
Many psychologists were set thinking by the incident, as well as most Americans. As the conclusion,
the bystander effect came out and later proved by a series of studies and experiments.
There are two major factors that contribute to the bystander effect. First, the presence of other
people creates a division (分散) of responsibility. Because there are other observers, individuals do not
feel as much pressure to take action, since the responsibility to take action is thought to be shared among
all of those present. The second reason is the need to behave in correct and socially acceptable ways.
When other observers fail to react, individuals often take this as a signal that a response is not needed or
not proper.
Other researchers have found that onlookers are less likely to take action if the situation is uncertain.
In the case of Genovese, many of the 38 witnesses reported that they believed they were witnessing a
"lovers'quarrel", and did not realize that the young woman was actually being murdered.
1. The bystander effect is also called the "Genovese effect" because .
A. it somehow caused the murder of a woman named Genovese
B. its discovery resulted from the murder of a woman named Genovese
C. it was actually discovered by a woman named Genovese
D. it always makes people think of a woman named Genovese
2. Which could NOT be a reason for the neighbors standing by instead of offering Genovese help?
A. They believed in the bystander effect.
B. They thought someone else might help her.
C. They didn't think they should help.
D. They didn't think she needed help.
3. Before deciding to offer help, observers may , according to the psychologists.
A. wait for sort of a signal
B. consider the risk of getting hurt
C. want to be sure it's proper to react
D. wonder if the victim is worth helping
4. The article seems to suggest that, if there had been observers, Genovese might not have
been murdered.
A. no
B. fewer
C. more
D. braver
