Final answer:
Latané and Darley explained failures to intervene in emergencies through the concept of bystander apathy, particularly diffusion of responsibility, where people are less likely to help in the presence of other bystanders.
Step-by-step explanation:
Latané and Darley sought to explain the failure of individuals to intervene in cases like that of Kitty Genovese through the concept of bystander apathy, closely associated with the diffusion of responsibility. This psychological phenomenon posits that as the number of people present increases, the likelihood of any one person offering help decreases. The diffusion of responsibility occurs as individuals believe that others in the group will take on the responsibility to help, leading to a decreased sense of personal obligation.
In the case of Kitty Genovese, it was initially reported that witnesses failed to intervene. However, subsequent investigations revealed that some individuals did attempt to help, challenging the notion of complete apathy. The diffusion of responsibility concept underscores the complex dynamics influencing individual behavior in group settings, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of social psychology in interpreting events like the Genovese case.