A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

According to Piliavin et al, what phenomenon was absent during the study?

1. Empathy for victims

2. Diffusion of responsibility

3. Awareness of surroundings

4. Fear of getting involved

The correct answer is: Diffusion of responsibility

In the context of Piliavin et al.'s research, the phenomenon that was notably absent during their study is diffusion of responsibility. This concept refers to the tendency for individuals to feel less personal responsibility to take action when in a group situation, particularly when others are present. However, in Piliavin's study, which examined bystander intervention in public emergencies, the setup created a scenario in which the individual witnesses were directly confronted with the need to help, thus their personal responsibility was heightened. The study specifically involved situations where a victim appeared to be in distress, thus prompting onlookers to respond directly to the apparent need for help. As a result, the participants likely felt a stronger sense of personal obligation to intervene rather than diffuse that responsibility among the crowd. This contrasts with other scenarios where the presence of others may lead to hesitation in taking action due to social pressure or the assumption that someone else will intervene. Therefore, the findings highlighted that observers did not experience a sense of diffusion of responsibility in the same way that might be expected in a larger group setting, leading to more individuals stepping in to help.