The Bystander Effect (theory)

The Bystander Effect is a social psychology phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim in an emergency when others are present. People often assume someone else will take action, leading to inaction overall. This reluctance can stem from a desire to conform to the group's behavior or fear of making the situation worse. The more bystanders there are, the less likely any one person feels responsible to intervene, which can delay or prevent assistance to those in need. Understanding this effect highlights the importance of personal responsibility in emergency situations.