Final answer:
The bystander effect is where individual responsibility to help is diluted among present witnesses, leading to inaction during emergencies. Recognizing this effect can prompt individuals to act more decisively when they witness someone in distress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bystander effect is a psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. The more bystanders there are, the less responsibility each person feels. This diffusion of responsibility leads to a decrease in the likelihood that someone will intervene in an emergency. Imagine you come across someone having a seizure on your way to class; if you are alone, you may feel compelled to help. But if there are many others present, each person might wait for someone else to take action.
Kitty Genovese's attack in 1964 highlighted this effect when it was initially reported that neighbors did not step in to help her, illustrating how the presence of others can lead to inaction. However, more detailed accounts later showed that some individuals did act, but the overall effect still stands as a prime example of how our impulse to help can be overridden by the assumption that others will help. Recognizing the bystander effect can empower us to act more decisively in emergencies.