What does the bystander effect describe regarding helping behavior in an emergency?

• A. The more people around, the more likely you are to help someone in need.
• B. The more people around, the less likely you are to help someone in need.
• C. People always help in emergencies.
• D. The presence of others has no impact on helping.

Answer: (B)

The bystander effect shows how the size of the crowd changes the likelihood of someone helping in an emergency. When more people are present, individuals feel less personal responsibility to intervene—diffusion of responsibility. People also look to others for cues about whether action is needed, so if no one else seems concerned (pluralistic ignorance), each person is less likely to act. All of this means that in a real emergency, a person is less likely to help when many bystanders are around, which is why the statement that more people around makes you less likely to help is the best description. The other ideas—more people increasing help, people always helping, or presence having no impact—don’t fit what research shows about how social context shapes helping behavior.