What phenomenon occurs when an individual feels less responsibility to act in aid of someone in need when other people are present?

• A. Diffusion of responsibility
• B. Social loafing
• C. Group polarization
• D. Altruistic behavior

Answer: (A)

The phenomenon where an individual feels less responsibility to help when other people are present is known as diffusion of responsibility. This concept suggests that as the number of bystanders increases, the perceived responsibility of each individual to take action decreases. In situations where someone is in need, individuals may assume that someone else will intervene, which leads to a lowering of personal accountability.

In contrast, social loafing refers to the tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to when working alone, but does not specifically address the helping behavior context. Group polarization involves the tendency of group members to shift toward more extreme positions after group discussions, which is unrelated to the decision to help someone in need. Altruistic behavior, on the other hand, refers to selfless actions aimed at helping others without expectation of personal gain, and it does not capture the concept of reduced responsibility in the presence of others.

Thus, the correct identification of this social behavioral phenomenon as diffusion of responsibility highlights its crucial role in understanding why individuals may hesitate to take action in emergency situations when surrounded by others.