Diffusion of Responsibility
Diffusion of Responsibility is a social psychology concept that explains how individuals in a group may feel less compelled to take action in emergencies. When more people are present, each person assumes that someone else will intervene, leading to a decreased likelihood of any one individual stepping forward to help.
This phenomenon was notably illustrated in the case of Kitty Genovese, who was attacked in 1964 while numerous witnesses failed to assist. The presence of bystanders created a sense of shared responsibility, which ultimately resulted in inaction, highlighting how group dynamics can influence personal accountability.