Prepare for the A Level Psychology Exam with our quiz. Access flashcards, multiple choice questions, and detailed explanations to enhance your study experience and boost your confidence.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


What was a common reason cited by bystanders for not helping?

  1. They didn't know what to do

  2. Fear of getting involved

  3. Belief that it wasn't their responsibility

  4. Assuming others would help

The correct answer is: They didn't know what to do

A common reason cited by bystanders for not helping is the assumption that others would help. This stems from the phenomenon known as the "bystander effect," where individuals are less likely to offer assistance in an emergency when they believe that others are present who are equally capable of helping. This diffusion of responsibility can lead to inaction, as people might wait for someone else to take the initiative. While the other options highlight valid concerns or hesitations that may prevent action, the notion of assuming others will step forward typically plays a significant role in why bystanders fail to intervene in critical situations.