Introduktion
If I were to inquire whether you would come to the aid of a stranger being attacked on the street, what would your response be?

Most likely, your immediate answer would be in the affirmative, wouldn't it? However, while there are numerous instances of people assisting those in need, there is also a segment of society that avoids involvement and refrains from aiding individuals clearly in distress.

This phenomenon is known as the bystander effect. Why is it that we often fail to help when we recognize it as the right course of action?

The article "Why We Still Look Away: Kitty Genovese, James Bulger, and the Bystander Effect," authored by Sarah Weinman in 2016, provides insights into the ramifications of the bystander effect.

Utdrag
She meticulously employs vivid descriptions and thought-provoking questions to engage her audience. For instance, she poses the poignant question, "How could so many neighbors look on and turn away as she was stabbed repeatedly on the street and in her apartment building?" (p 1, ll 19).

This technique taps into our emotions, utilizing pathos to evoke empathy for Kitty. Her rich descriptive language not only stirs our emotions but also appeals to our logic, as she provides intricate details about the three victims, including their names, ages, and the circumstances of their deaths.

This approach aligns with logos, presenting facts and thought-provoking questions while critiquing the bystander effect.

Sarah seeks to elicit agreement and impel her readers to assume responsibility, as exemplified by her question, "What did that collective inability to act reveal about ourselves, our communities, and our belief systems?" (p 1, ll 19).

Through such rhetorical questions, she prompts readers to pause and introspect, fostering agreement and a call to action.

Furthermore, Sarah employs a pathos-driven strategy by invoking the names of these well-known victims, individuals who have previously garnered media attention.