Final answer:
Researchers Bibb Latané and John Darley described the phenomenon of 'diffusion of responsibility' as a situation where people are less likely to help in emergencies when other bystanders are present, because each individual feels less personally responsible. This concept is related to the bystander effect, where the greater the number of observers, the less likely it is that any one of them will intervene.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Researchers Bibb Latané and John Darley partly explained bystander "apathy" in terms of the "diffusion of responsibility" felt by participants, they referred to the phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to take action or assist during an emergency when others are present. This is because the presence of additional bystanders leads to a shared sense of responsibility, making any single person feel less compelled to intervene. This diffusion of responsibility indicates that people will often assume that someone else will provide assistance or believe that it is not solely their responsibility to help.
The notable case of Kitty Genovese's murder, where neighbors witnessed the attack but did not intervene to the extent expected, is often connected to the bystander effect. Despite the initial reports, some neighbors did take certain actions, highlighting complexities beyond simple apathy. Social psychology suggests that the greater the number of people present, the less likely it is for any one individual to step forward and help, even in situations like witnessing an accident on the freeway or a person having a seizure in public. This illustrates the bystander effect and how the perception of shared responsibility among a group can inhibit prosocial behavior.