Final answer:
A victim is more likely to receive help from a lone bystander due to the absence of the bystander effect, which diffuses responsibility amongst a group, leading to decreased likelihood that any one person will intervene.
Step-by-step explanation:
A victim is more likely to be helped by a lone bystander than by a group due to a social psychological phenomenon known as the bystander effect. The bystander effect occurs when the presence of other people leads to a diffusion of responsibility, where each individual assumes someone else will take action.
Studies by Latané and Darley (1968) and further examinations into social behaviors like the case of Kitty Genovese show that when multiple witnesses are present, the likelihood of any one person intervening decreases.
This is because with a larger number of observers, there is a decreased sense of personal responsibility, as each person thinks another will help or has already called for assistance.
In contrast, when an individual is alone with a victim, there is no possibility to rely on others to take action, increasing the likelihood that the lone bystander will intervene. The diffusion of responsibility does not occur in this situation, and the individual may feel a direct sense of obligation to assist.
Social psychologists advise that to overcome the bystander effect, it's important to be aware of its existence and consciously decide to act when others may not.