Final answer:
The American bystander rule does not legally require individuals to help in an emergency, whereas the European bystander rule often includes a legal obligation to assist. The American approach may result in the bystander effect due to diffusion of responsibility, while the European rule may foster collective accountability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American bystander rule and the European bystander rule are concepts that describe the legal expectations and social norms related to the actions of bystanders when someone is in need of help. In the United States, the American bystander rule generally does not legally obligate a person to assist someone in an emergency unless they have a special relationship with them or if they have started to provide help. This concept relates closely to the bystander effect, where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present, which can be attributed to the diffusion of responsibility.
In many European countries, the bystander rule differs. There is a legal requirement for individuals to provide help in emergency situations, provided they can do so without significant risk to themselves. Failing to provide assistance can potentially lead to legal consequences. This rule encourages a sense of collective responsibility and may counteract the bystander effect by formalizing the responsibility to act.