The Tipping Point #3

The Power of Context law recognizes that people react differently to the same situation according to the context of the situation. For example, a recent study showed that when a person comes across a person who has collapsed, if they are on their own there is an 85% chance that they will help this person. If they are in a crowded area then there is only a 31% chance of them helping this person. The context shapes the behaviour. This is considered the bystander effect. Epidemics can be tipped by tampering with the smallest detail of the immediate environment. This element suggests that contrary to popular belief, we are sensitive to the context around us. When considering the factors that cause change, I never realized the obvious fact that depending on the situation, reactions will vary, and that it doesn’t take a huge improvement to enhance an impact a message has on a person. This book has really opened my eyes to pay attention to both the big picture, and significant details.