Final answer:
The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon where people are less likely to help a victim when others are present. The presence of multiple bystanders leads to what is known as diffusion of responsibility. This effect is not limited to severe incidents but can also be observed in everyday situations where social norms are breached.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Bystander Effect
The bystander effect refers to a social psychological phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. The likelihood of intervention diminishes as the number of bystanders increases, which is a concept known as diffusion of responsibility. This effect was famously analyzed by social psychologists Latané and Darley following the tragic murder of Kitty Genovese, where witnesses apparently did not intervene to stop the crime. However, later reports clarified that bystanders did actually take some actions, such as calling the police.
Instances of the bystander effect are not limited to extreme situations like crimes. The behavior can be observed in everyday situations where social norms are breached and individuals feel uncertain about how to respond in the presence of others. Researchers have conducted various experiments to study this effect by engaging with innocent bystanders in public places and observing their reactions to social norm violations. Through these studies, it becomes evident how much social norms and the presence of others can influence our behavior.
The phenomena of the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility are crucial to understanding prosocial behavior and social responsibility. They remind us that our actions, or inactions, are frequently shaped by the social context rather than by our personal dispositions alone.