Psychology I / The Bystander Effect and the Diffusion of Responsibility
Practice question · Select all that apply

Select every change that would WEAKEN the bystander effect and make helping more likely.

Hints
  1. A change weakens the effect if it repairs step 2 (is this an emergency?) or step 3 (is it my job?).
  2. Two options do the opposite: one adds witnesses, and one makes everyone interchangeable - both spread the duty thinner.
Show the answer
  • A. One bystander visibly reacts with alarm, so everyone can see the event is serious.
  • D. The victim makes eye contact and addresses one specific bystander by description.
  • E. One witness is the only person present known to be trained in first aid.
Why

Direct address assigns responsibility, a visibly alarmed bystander removes the ambiguity that pluralistic ignorance feeds on, and being the uniquely qualified helper makes the duty unshareable. Adding witnesses and stressing that everyone is equally able both increase diffusion, interchangeability is exactly what lets each person pass the duty on.

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