US High School Psychology Complete Practice Exam 2025

Question: 1 / 400

What does the bystander effect refer to?

The phenomenon where individuals are more likely to help a victim when alone

The phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to help a victim when more people are present

The bystander effect refers specifically to the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. This occurs for several reasons, including a diffusion of responsibility, where individuals feel less personal obligation to act because they assume someone else will. Additionally, social cues play a role; if others are not reacting to a situation as an emergency, individuals may interpret the situation as less serious and therefore not intervene.

Understanding the bystander effect is significant in social psychology because it highlights how group dynamics can influence individual behavior in emergency situations. It underscores the importance of awareness in situations where help is needed, reminding us that collective presence can sometimes lead to inaction rather than assistance.

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A psychological condition where individuals ignore emergencies

The tendency to intervene in emergencies based on proximity

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