BYSTANDER Meaning and
Definition
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A bystander refers to an individual who is present at the scene of an event, incident, or situation, but does not actively participate in it or have any direct involvement. This term typically denotes someone who observes or witnesses an occurrence without intervening or taking any action. A bystander may be merely a spectator, observer, or onlooker who happens to be in proximity to an incident, accident, or confrontation.
The concept of a bystander is often associated with situations where someone is in need of assistance, typically during emergencies or crises. In such cases, a bystander is someone who does not provide aid, support, or intervention to those who require it. This inaction can be due to various factors, such as fear, uncertainty, lack of knowledge, or a belief that someone else will step in to help. It is important to note that being a bystander does not necessarily imply negligence or indifference, as individuals may have valid reasons or constraints preventing them from taking action.
However, the term "bystander effect" describes a phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help or intervene in an emergency situation when other people are present. This diffusion of responsibility occurs when each bystander assumes someone else will take charge or provide aid, leading to a collective inaction or delayed response. Understanding the dynamics and impact of bystanders can help ensure the promotion of proactive involvement and support in situations where assistance is needed.
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One who stands near; a spectator.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for BYSTANDER *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for BYSTANDER
Etymology of BYSTANDER
The word "bystander" comes from the combination of two separate Middle English words: "by" and "stander".
- The word "by" originally meant "near" or "beside". It is derived from the Old English word "bī", which had the same meaning.
- The word "stander" is a derivative of the Old English word "standan", meaning "to stand".
Therefore, a "bystander" can be defined as someone who is present or standing near, but not directly involved in a particular event or situation.
Idioms with the word BYSTANDER
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bystander apathy
Bystander apathy refers to the social phenomenon wherein individuals witnessing an emergency or distressing situation are less likely to offer assistance or intervene when others are present. It reflects the tendency of people to assume that someone else will take responsibility or that their own intervention might be unnecessary.
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bystander effect
The idiom "bystander effect" refers to the social phenomenon where individuals are less likely to intervene in an emergency or help someone in distress when there are other people present. This is due to the diffusion of responsibility and the assumption that someone else will take action.
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