Police Entrance Practice Exam

What does the term 'bystander effect' describe?

1. The tendency for individuals to intervene in emergencies

2. The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency when others are present

3. A psychological theory explaining group behavior

4. The effect of crowd dynamics on individual actions

The correct answer is: The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency when others are present

The term 'bystander effect' specifically describes a phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency when there are other people present. This concept is rooted in social psychology and has been widely studied to understand human behavior in group situations. When an emergency occurs, the presence of bystanders can lead to a diffusion of responsibility; individuals may feel that someone else will take action, so they refrain from intervening. This effect has been observed in various situations, most famously in the case of Kitty Genovese in 1964, where numerous witnesses did not help despite her being attacked. Other answers relate to different social dynamics or scenarios. For example, the tendency for individuals to intervene in emergencies contradicts the bystander effect. The psychological theory explaining group behavior refers to various theories that explore how being part of a group influences actions but does not specifically define the bystander effect. The effect of crowd dynamics on individual actions discusses broader concepts of how crowds influence behavior, which is not limited to the emergency response context that the bystander effect is concentrated on.