What does the bystander effect explain?

The bystander effect is a well-documented social psychological phenomenon that illustrates how the presence of others can influence an individual's willingness to take action in an emergency situation. Specifically, it refers to the tendency for individuals to feel less personal responsibility to act when they are in a group rather than when they are alone. This diffusion of responsibility occurs because people may look to others for cues on how to behave and may think that someone else will intervene.

The correct answer highlights that the bystander effect leads to a decreased likelihood of taking action due to the presence of others, as individuals often assume that someone else will step in to help. Research has shown that in situations where help is needed, the greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one person will offer assistance. This effect demonstrates how social dynamics can significantly impact individual behavior in critical moments.

In contrast, some of the other options present notions that do not align with the bystander effect. For instance, the idea that individuals perform better in teams does not capture the essence of the bystander effect, as it pertains to group dynamics in a positive sense rather than an emergency context. Similarly, the tendency for individuals to take action or to feel pressured to act appropriately in public refers to