In game theory, this phenomenon is modeled by the volunteer's dilemma, in which each of N players can only benefit when they exert no effort but at least one other person does.
Robert Thornberg studied this phenomenon among Swedish fifth graders, while P.M. Markey studied it using the fake chat room identities Jake and Suzy Harmen. Abraham Ross showed that this phenomenon is not affected by the presence of children. In game theory, this phenomenon is modeled by the volunteer's dilemma, in which each of N players can only benefit when they exert no effort but at least one other person does. Experiments testing this effect include one where students had a discussion over an intercom and one where people filled out a questionnaire while smoke filled a room. This effect was first studied by John Darley and Bibb Latané, who used concepts like pluralistic ignorance and diffusion of responsibility to analyze the case of Kitty Genovese's murder. For 10 points, name this psychological effect in which witnesses to an emergency do nothing.
Robert Thornberg studied this phenomenon among Swedish fifth graders, while P.M. Markey studied it using the fake chat room identities Jake and Suzy Harmen.
bystander effect [prompt on "social loafing" or "diffusion of responsibility"]