What psychological phenomenon explains why individuals in a large crowd may feel less accountable for taking action in an emergency?

The correct answer, diffusion of responsibility, describes the phenomenon where individuals feel less personal responsibility to take action when others are present in a situation, particularly in emergencies. When people are part of a larger group, they often assume that someone else will take charge or intervene, which can lead to a decrease in individual accountability. This is particularly evident in emergency situations where bystanders may witness the event but not act, as they believe that others will step in.

In larger crowds, the presence of multiple observers can reduce the perceived urgency an individual feels to respond, as they may think that their own inaction is mitigated by the likelihood that others will take responsibility. This psychological dynamic was famously studied in the context of incidents like the Kitty Genovese case, where multiple witnesses failed to intervene during an assault, illustrating how individuals may look to others for cues on how to respond in a crisis.

The other options represent different psychological concepts. Social loafing pertains to individuals exerting less effort in group settings, while de-individuation involves a loss of self-awareness and reduced self-regulation in group situations. Conformity relates to changing one’s behavior or beliefs in response to real or imagined group pressure. While these concepts may be relevant in group dynamics, they