#### Decades later, investigative reports have clarified that many details of the original 1964 news story were inaccurate.
Social psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley were intrigued by the reported lack of action from witnesses. They formulated the theory of the , which suggests that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. This occurs due to two primary factors: kitty catherine
In the early morning of March 13, 1964, 28-year-old Catherine "Kitty" Genovese was attacked outside her apartment building in Kew Gardens, Queens. The initial report by The New York Times claimed that 38 neighbors witnessed the attack over a period of 30 minutes, yet none called the police or intervened until it was too late. This occurs due to two primary factors: In
: People feel less personal pressure to act because they believe someone else will surely do it. : Individuals monitor the behavior of others to
: Individuals monitor the behavior of others to determine if an emergency is actually occurring; if no one else is acting, they may conclude no action is needed.
: Despite the inaccuracies of the original report, the public outcry over the case was a major catalyst for the creation of the emergency services system in the United States, ensuring a centralized way to report crimes quickly.
Below is a helpful summary paper on the case and the psychological phenomenon it inspired. 1. Background: The 1964 Incident