Question

People may be reluctant to help someone else in distress if

Select one:
a. there are others present.
b. no one is around.
c. they are aware of the danger involved.
d. all of the above occur.

Answer 1

People may be reluctant to help someone in distress if there are others present because of the bystander effect, which leads to a diffusion of responsibility. The likelihood of helping increases when individuals are alone with the victim. Understanding this helps promote prosocial behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

People may be reluctant to help someone else in distress if a. there are others present. This phenomenon is known as the bystander effect, where the presence of others can lead to a diffusion of responsibility, making individuals less likely to take action. Instances of this can be observed when bystanders assume that someone else will intervene or report an incident, such as an emergency or a crime.

The bystander effect is counteracted when individuals find themselves alone with the victim, as social psychologists suggest that the likelihood of helping increases when no other bystanders are present. This is due to the fact that the responsibility to help falls squarely on the individual, who cannot expect others to act.

Understanding the bystander effect is crucial for promoting prosocial behavior, and it encourages individuals to take action regardless of whether other people are around, ensuring that those in distress receive the help they need.