Darley and Latane (social psychologists)

Darley and Latané were social psychologists known for their research on the bystander effect, which explains how people are less likely to help someone in distress when others are present. In their famous study, they found that individuals are more inclined to offer assistance when alone, but their likelihood of intervening decreases as the number of bystanders increases. This phenomenon occurs because individuals tend to assume someone else will take action, leading to a diffusion of responsibility. Their work highlights the complexities of human behavior in social situations and the influence of peer presence on decision-making.