In a Darley and Latane-style study, participants discuss college life through an intercom. During the discussion, a peer appears to have a seizure. When participants believed they were alone with the victim, 85% sought help. When they believed four others were also present, only 31% did so, and they took longer to act.
Besides diffusion of responsibility, which additional process most plausibly slowed helping in the group condition?
- Acheck_circle
Pluralistic ignorance about whether the situation is a real emergency
- B
Group polarization
- C
Mere exposure effect
- D
Self-actualization
Explanation
When potential helpers cannot see each other's reactions, each may infer from others' apparent calm that the situation is not an emergency, suppressing their own response. This is pluralistic ignorance.