A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What does "diffusion of responsibility" refer to?

1. The tendency to ignore others' needs

2. The belief that help is not needed

3. The feeling of less responsibility when others are present

4. The responsibility of helping in large groups

The correct answer is: The feeling of less responsibility when others are present

"Diffusion of responsibility" refers to the phenomenon where individuals feel less accountable for their actions when in the presence of a group. This concept is often associated with social psychology, particularly in situations of emergency or crisis. When there are many people around, individuals may assume that someone else will take action or provide help, leading to a decrease in personal accountability and motivation to intervene. Research has shown that as the number of bystanders increases, the likelihood that any one person will help decreases. This can be attributed to the misconception that others will take action, thereby diminishing one's own sense of obligation to help. The presence of others can create a sense of shared responsibility, which can lead to inaction even when someone is in need. In contrast, options like ignoring others' needs or believing that help is not needed do not fully encompass the interpersonal dynamic central to diffusion of responsibility. Similarly, while discussing responsibility in large groups relates to social behaviours, it doesn’t capture the essence of how individuals feel towards their own responsibilities when surrounded by others. Thus, the feeling of less responsibility when others are present accurately captures the core idea behind "diffusion of responsibility."