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The bystander effect refers to a social psychological phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. This occurs because the presence of others can create a diffusion of responsibility; individuals may assume that someone else will take action, leading to inaction collectively. The more bystanders that are present, the less likely it is that any one individual will intervene, as responsibility is shared among the group.

This concept has been studied in various contexts, particularly in emergency situations, highlighting how social dynamics can influence individual behavior. Factors such as social influence and personal reluctance can play a role, contributing to the observation that during critical moments, individuals might wait for someone else to lead the action rather than acting themselves.