Question

Kitty Genovese was brutally murdered in front of several eyewitnesses who did not intervene or call for help. According to social psychologists, this failure to assist Kitty was due to ______________________.

the selfish nature of human beings
a diffusion of responsibility
deficits in empathy
people's unwillingness to help women in society

Answer 1

According to social psychologists, this failure to assist Kitty Genovese was due to **a diffusion of responsibility**. This phenomenon occurs when individuals in a group feel less compelled to take action because they believe someone else will intervene, leading to a bystander effect where no one steps up to help.