Beatriz fell on a busy city sidewalk and broke her leg. Although hundreds of pedestrians saw her lying on the ground, most failed to recognize that she was in need of medical assistance. Their oversight best illustrates one of the dynamics involved in

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The scenario describes Beatriz lying on a busy sidewalk while hundreds of pedestrians fail to recognize she needs medical assistance. This situation is best analyzed through the lens of diffusion of responsibility, which is a core component of the bystander effect. 
Option a: the mere exposure effect. This effect refers to increased liking or positive feelings toward a stimulus due to repeated exposure. It does not explain why people would fail to recognize a medical need in an emergency.
Option b: the reciprocity norm. This norm involves feeling obligated to help others who have helped you. It predicts reciprocal helping, not a general failure to assist in a crowd, so it does not account for the lack of action here.
Option c: the bystander effect. This phenomenon occurs when individuals are less likely to help a needed situation when others are present, due to diffusion of responsibility and social influence. It directly explains why many pedestrians did not recognize or act on the medical need.
Option d: the self-fulfilling prophecy. This occurs when a belief or expectation leads to its own confirmation through behavior, such as expecting failure causing one to perform poorly. It does not specifically describe the observed inaction of bystanders in an emergency.

PSY 200 (003) Fall 2025 Introduction to Psychology (TR, 1:30pm)

Beatriz fell on a busy city sidewalk and broke her leg. Although hundreds of pedestrians saw her lying on the ground, most failed to recognize that she was in need of medical assistance. Their oversight best illustrates one of the dynamics involved in

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

Based on Darley and Batson (1973), if you wanted to encourage someone to help a person in need, what would you encourage them to do?

Which of the following is NOT one of the factors that increases the likelihood of bystanders helping?

In which of the following situations would someone be most likely to help, instead of engaging in the bystander effect?

According to the research of Latané and Darley, which of the following situations would be the most likely in which someone would offer to help?

The “bystander effect” states that a particular bystander is less likely to give aid if

Who among the following is most likely to help an injured pedestrian?

A stranger has collapsed on a city sidewalk due to a heart attack. According to Darley and Latané, what is the first thing that must happen before you will help in this emergency?

You trip over a fallen branch and sprain your ankle. According to research on the bystander effect, a stranger who sees your plight will be most likely to offer aid if there are________ others present.

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler