I've put it in 'Ideas' because what interests me about the topic is:
1. The whole 'psychiatrist' angle, including the fears about copycatism and the observation about the connections between people's life experiences and what they do during an observed attack. What do people think about a psychiatrist warning them to not get involved because they might just be trying to be a hero? What do people think about the observation that being a 'victim' in one's past makes one more likely to run from violence rather than helping?
2. The 'genetic inclination' to help out. It's the first I've heard of it.
3. And finally - adjunct to no. 1 - I find it very ironic that after all the hoopla about kids not having good role models, someone is on record as discouraging people from emulating genuine heroes.
From: Vancouver babblers' meetup July 9 @ Cafe Deux Soleil! | Registered: Nov 2003
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Trisha
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 387
posted 12 August 2004 12:32 AM
I can see some concern over teens or children getting involved in situations which they may not fully understand and where they may not be able to defend themselves. I can't really see very many people saving someone else just to be thought of as a hero. There's too much personal risk for that. A crisis situation doesn't give anyone much chance to think about things like that. I don't know that the effects of post traumatic stress are much worse than survivor guilt so don't understand his concern about these points.
There have been too many cases in the past where someone's life could have been saved by someone acting in time and not necessarily by physical intervention. People standing around watching someone get stabbed to death as happened a few years ago is not a humane option.
Having been a victim and seeing someone else victimized often brings on a flashback episode so most people in that condition probably would run away, hide or freeze. A few would possibly fight. I guess this psychiatrist's "genetic inclination" could refer to people who are very caring or protective about others. I don't know as I've never heard of this reference.
posted 12 August 2004 07:19 PM
We can't have people going around rescuing one another from danger! Next thing you know, bad guys might think twice about attacking somebody, in case bystanders try to stop them. What kind of society could that lead to?
From: coming and going | Registered: Sep 2001
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Email this thread to someone!
posted 11 August 2004 11:43 PM
