Which term names the social phenomenon where people are less likely to help a victim when others are present?

Which term names the social phenomenon where people are less likely to help a victim when others are present?

• A. Bystander Effect
• B. Diffusion of Responsibility
• C. Social Facilitation
• D. Bystander Apathy

Answer: (A)

Bystander effect is the phenomenon where people are less likely to help a victim when others are present. The presence of multiple witnesses spreads the sense of responsibility so each person feels less personal obligation to intervene, which lowers the chances of anyone stepping in. A related idea is diffusion of responsibility, the mechanism behind this effect: everyone assumes someone else will help, so no one acts. This differs from social facilitation, which is about how others’ presence changes performance on tasks, not about helping behavior, and from bystander apathy, which is a less formal term for the same pattern but not the established name for the phenomenon.

Bystander effect is the phenomenon where people are less likely to help a victim when others are present. The presence of multiple witnesses spreads the sense of responsibility so each person feels less personal obligation to intervene, which lowers the chances of anyone stepping in. A related idea is diffusion of responsibility, the mechanism behind this effect: everyone assumes someone else will help, so no one acts. This differs from social facilitation, which is about how others’ presence changes performance on tasks, not about helping behavior, and from bystander apathy, which is a less formal term for the same pattern but not the established name for the phenomenon.