diffusion of responsibility

Diffusion of responsibility is a psychological phenomenon where individuals in a group are less likely to take action or feel responsible because they believe others will do so instead. When many people are present, the sense of personal accountability spreads out, reducing the likelihood that any one person will intervene or help in a situation. This can lead to inaction, especially in emergencies, as each person assumes someone else will step up. It explains why participants might not help in emergencies like accidents or distress when they are part of a crowd.