What is the "bystander effect"?

The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. This is largely due to a diffusion of responsibility, where each bystander feels less personally accountable, assuming someone else will take action. As a result, the more bystanders there are, the lower the chances that any one person will intervene.

This concept can be explained through several studies, where tests have shown that individuals are more likely to respond to emergencies when they are alone compared to when they are in a group. The presence of others can lead individuals to doubt their own judgment or feel that their help is not needed because they assume others will step in. Understanding this effect is crucial for addressing issues of social behavior in emergencies and highlights the complexities of human interaction within group dynamics.