Nature has made the heart the magnetic point of mutual attraction in affairs of a first and mutual passion, and the head of the wisest person is here of its sphere. We are living in an intelligent Universe, which responds to out mental states.

To the extent that we learn to control these mental states, we shall automatically control our environment. This is why we are studying the power of thought and action, as we approach the subject of spiritual mind program reeducation and healing.

What a marvelous thought to bear in mind: that the mind is our center of intelligence, and every time one thinks, one sets their mind program in action. Exalted minds enter more rapidly and closely into the connections of friendship than those of a vulgar stamp.

Perhaps the most crucial step in helping is assuming responsibility. However, in some cases, groups limit helping by causing a diffusion of responsibility (spreading responsibility among several people).

Is that like the unwillingness of drivers to offer help on a crowded freeway?

Exactly. It is the feeling that no one is personally responsible for helping.

Many studies suggest that when we see a person in trouble, it tends to cause heightened arousal. This aroused, keyed up feeling can motivate us to help, but usually only if the rewards of helping outweigh the costs. Higher costs (such as great efforts, personal risk, or possible embarrassment) almost always decrease helping, for many people.

In addition to general arousal, potential helpers may also feel empathic arousal. This means that one can empathize with the person in need or feel some of the person’s pain, fear, or anguish. Helping is much more likely when we are able to take the perspective of others and feel sympathy for their plight.

If people feel sad or distressed when another person is in trouble, could it not be that they help just to make themselves feel better?

It is certainly possible that some helping is actually selfish. However, further research has shown that empathy (emphatic arousal) really does unleash altruistic motivation based on sympathy and compassion. Most helping, including acts such as making donations or being kind, is motivated by a true desire to relieve the distress of others.

Emphatic arousal is especially likely to motivate helping when the person in need seems to be similar to ourselves. In fact, a feeling of connection to the victim may be one of the most important factors in helping. There is a strong empathy helping relationship: We are most likely to help someone in need when we feel for that person and experience emotions such as empathy, sympathy, and compassion.

Is there anything that can be done to encourage prosocial (voluntary behavior to benefit another) behavior?

People who see others helping are more like to offer help themselves. Also, persons who give help in one situation tend to perceive themselves as helpful people. This change in self-image encourages them to help in other situations. One more point is that norms of fairness encourage us to help others who have helped us. For all these reasons, helping others not only assists them directly, it encourages others to help, too.

De-victimize yourself; if you should find yourself in need of help, during an emergency, what can you do to avoid being a victim of bystander apathy? Make sure that you are noticed and that people realize that there is an emergency, and that they need to take action. Being notices can be promoted in some situations by shouting “Fire!” Or by calling out a random name, so people turn around and look.

Bystanders who might run away from a robbery or an assault may rush to see where the fire is, or look for who is calling out for them in distress. You can assign direct responsibility to a bystander by pointing to someone and saying, “You, call the police,” or “I am injured, I need you to call an ambulance.”  The human heart is vast enough to contain all the World!