Genovese case

The Genovese case refers to the tragic 1994 assault and stabbing of Kitty Genovese in New York City, which garnered widespread attention. Initially, reports claimed that numerous neighbors witnessed the attack but did not help or call authorities, highlighting the bystander effect—where individuals are less likely to help when others are present. However, later investigations revealed that the story was somewhat exaggerated, and fewer witnesses were actually passive. The case remains significant in psychology and social science as it sparked discussions about human behavior, social responsibility, and the factors influencing helping behavior in emergencies.