A person suddenly collapses on a busy city sidewalk during rush hour, surrounded by many pedestrians. Despite the clear distress, several minutes pass before anyone steps forward to offer assistance. Which social psychological phenomenon best explains why individuals in the crowd might be less likely to help?
Show answer and explanation
The answer
Correct answer: B. The diffusion of responsibility among multiple observers reduces each individual's perceived obligation to intervene.
Tested concept: Bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility
Explanation
The bystander effect describes situations where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. Diffusion of responsibility is a key mechanism of the bystander effect, where each person feels less accountable to act because the responsibility is spread among all present observers. This reduces the individual's perceived obligation to intervene, leading to inaction.
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