What is the bystander effect?

The bystander effect refers to the phenomenon where the presence of other people discourages an individual from intervening in an emergency situation. When someone sees someone in need of help, they may feel less inclined to take action if there are other witnesses present. This reduction in the likelihood of helping occurs because individuals often look to others for cues on how to behave and may assume that someone else will take responsibility to help.

The diffusion of responsibility plays a significant role in this effect; as the number of bystanders increases, the sense of personal responsibility for taking action decreases. This psychological dynamic can lead to situations where no one intervenes, even when help is clearly needed. Understanding the bystander effect is crucial in psychology as it highlights the complexities of social behavior and individual responsibility in group settings.