Which term describes the failure of people in a group to help someone in distress because they assume someone else will do it?

The term that describes the phenomenon where individuals in a group fail to help someone in distress due to the assumption that someone else will intervene is known as the bystander effect. This psychological concept illustrates how the presence of others can lead to a diffusion of responsibility, where people feel less compelled to act because they believe that someone else will take action. Research has shown that as the number of bystanders increases, the likelihood of any one individual helping decreases.

The bystander effect is often studied in contexts such as emergency situations where a person needs assistance. Notably, this effect is further compounded by various factors, including ambiguity of the situation, social norms, and the perceived competence of the bystanders.

In contrast, the other terms provided do not relate specifically to the scenario described. Deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms; social loafing describes the tendency of individuals to exert less effort in a group task compared to when they work alone; and cultural assimilation refers to the process by which individuals or groups adopt the cultural traits of another group. None of these concepts capture the essence of the situation where individuals in a group hesitate to help due to the presence of others.