Darley & Latane

Darley and Latané are known for their research on the bystander effect, which illustrates how people are less likely to help a victim when others are present. In their 1968 study, they found that individuals are more inclined to assist if they think they are the only ones witnessing an emergency. This occurs because people often look to each other for cues on how to respond, leading to a diffusion of responsibility. Essentially, the presence of others can hinder someone’s willingness to act, as they assume someone else will take responsibility to help.