Bystander writing

The bystander effect is when somebody feels that they don’t need to help someone in need because they feel someone else will/should be doing it.The more people around, the longer it’ll take for someone to help. Things such as the diffusion of responsibility, embarrassment/low confidence are reasons as to why this occurs.

The diffusion of responsibility is basically just a way of saying that everyone in the room is just as qualified as each other to help someone out. When there are more people around, everyone feels less obligated, as they think that someone else could be helping instead of them. Therefore it will take longer for anyone to decide whether to help or not. 

When there is only one person in the room, it’s almost as if there is a connection between them and the person that is in need of help. With no one else around, the person recognises that they’re the only one available to help them and also that there is no need to feel embarrassed.