Normalcy Bias, The Bystander Effect

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Regrettably, in my experience as a 52-year-old woman, I have observed that a significant portion of people remain inactive in the face of a crisis unless it directly impacts their own lives. The urgency and gravity of the situation often escapes them, leaving them indifferent until the consequences knock at their own door.

While there may not be a single study explicitly stating that most Americans will not act in a crisis unless it affects them personally, several psychological phenomena and surveys provide insight into this behavior.​

Normalcy bias is a cognitive bias that leads individuals to underestimate the likelihood of a disaster and its potential adverse effects. Approximately 80% of people reportedly display normalcy bias during disasters. This bias causes many to prepare inadequately for emergencies, as they believe things will continue as they have been. ​

The bystander effect, closely related to diffusion of responsibility, suggests that individuals are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present. Studies have shown that the presence of others inhibits helping behavior, often by a significant margin. ​

A 2018 Pew Research Center survey found that 75% of Americans believed people would cooperate with each other in a crisis, even if they didn't trust each other. However, actual behavior during crises can differ. For instance, a national survey revealed that 41.6% of U.S. adults admitted to being dishonest about their compliance with COVID-19 measures or failed to follow guidelines at least once. The most common behaviors included lying about the extent of their preventive measures and breaking quarantine rules.

These findings suggest that while many Americans believe in collective action during crises, individual behaviors may not always align, especially when the crisis does not directly impact them.