Diffusion Of Responsibility
The bystander effect is a theory that states that an individual’s likelihood of taking action or making a decision in a situation is lower when others are present. For instance, if a person begins choking in a restaurant with a few other people present, the average bystander is less likely to consider it their personal responsibility to deal with the situation. The likelihood they will jump in and help is lower because they know others are nearby and could help, too. The phrase Diffusion of responsibility refers, in many cases, to the bystander effect. The bystander effect proposes that an individual’s likelihood of intervening decreases even further the more people that are present—such as if the restaurant in question were crowded.
This theory may relate to a number of fields, with two examples being abnormal and social psychology. In abnormal psychology, certain mental health disorders like social anxiety may contribute to the likelihood someone will succumb to the diffusion of responsibility. The theory is even more applicable in social psychology, which studies how individuals interact in groups and are affected by their environments.
Studies in the field of experimental social psychology have been conducted on the diffusion of responsibility, including early experiments done by Bibb Latané and John Darley. For example, this study looked at the concept of diffusion of responsibility and bystander intervention in emergencies.
Diffusion of responsibility, however, also occurs in group settings like work projects or school sports teams. Let’s take a closer look at this concept and how it may affect group dynamics and decision-making.
How diffusion of responsibility can be helpful in decision making
When individuals don’t feel responsible for taking action, they may be more likely to consider the perspectives and opinions of others. This mindset and diffusion of responsibility may result in more inclusive and collaborative decision-making.
Another advantage of diffusion of responsibility is that it may allow for a healthy distribution of work. When people feel that they don't have to take on all the responsibility or that there is diffusion of responsibility, they may be more willing to delegate tasks and divide the workload amongst themselves.
How diffusion of responsibility can be harmful in a group of people
As mentioned earlier, the discussion of diffusion of responsibility occurs, in most cases, in relation to emergency situations. When this or the bystander effect occurs, it’s generally a negative thing, since it may end up that no one takes action to resolve the problem. Groups can experience the same effect in situations where quick decisions that may involve risk-taking need to be made, or members might engage in “social loafing” (putting in less effort because there are other people to pick up their slack). Group members might not speak up to suggest a certain choice or course of action because they assume someone else will, which can delay the decision-making process overall.
Diffusion of responsibility can occur in more extreme situations, like war. One example of diffusion of responsibility comes from the events following World War II known as the Nuremberg Trials. During these trials, members of the Nazi party engaged in moral disengagement, distancing themselves from the atrocities they committed during the war. They claimed they did not have to take responsibility for their actions due to the party’s group size and its infamously harsh leadership. Their argument was summed up by the claim that they were “only following orders.”
Diffusion of responsibility may also lead to a lack of personal accountability among any small or large group, since individuals are less likely to take ownership of their actions if they feel they might not make a significant difference. The result of diffusion of responsibility may be an ineffective group discussion or dynamic, increased aggression, decreased motivation, and poorer overall results.
Strategies for addressing diffusion of responsibility
When it comes to addressing diffusion of responsibility in a group, assigning people specific roles and responsibilities is usually a good first step to prevent each member from putting in less effort. Doing so may help ensure that individual contributions are acknowledged and that everyone is taking on an appropriate amount of work. Encouraging individuals to take ownership of their actions and be accountable for their decisions instead of diffusion of responsibility can help also maintain an effective group dynamic and promote responsibility attribution. You might also try activities like:
Brainstorming sessions
Using a voting system
Encouraging open and honest communication
Similar phenomena to watch out for: Understanding diffusion of responsibility
If you’re managing or even just a part of a group at work or at school, it can be helpful to be aware of the concept of diffusion of responsibility, and the theoretical integration of similar concepts, so that you can take steps to avoid it or curb it if it occurs. That said, there are a few other, similar phenomena to diffusion of responsibility that you may also want to watch out for in group settings or dangerous and non-dangerous emergencies.
Groupthink: When people feel less responsibility for taking action in a given situation
The Harvard Business Review defines groupthink as “quick agreement around status quo solutions with little discussion or deliberation”. It can be a significant barrier to innovation, since it makes people likely to agree with whatever is proposed rather than bringing up their own ideas. To avoid groupthink and group inhibition, you can encourage people to challenge the status quo, have them submit ideas before discussing as a group, and even assign one person to play “devil’s advocate”. This person can be responsible for conducting a direct test of any unanimously accepted idea.
In-group bias because of assignment
This group social psychology review presents a theory that refers to how people are likely to feel closer to those within the same group than they are with those outside the group—even when the groups are randomly assigned. On the one hand, this bias can help teams in settings like the workplace feel more cohesive—like they’re working with each other and against competitors toward a common goal. On the other hand, it may cause tension in workplaces or schools with multiple groups. If these groups need to work together to achieve common goals, in-group bias may make people identify with their own team’s ideas too strongly without considering those of others.
Polarization of a group of people
In this case, the rest of the group is likely to fall in line. The danger of group polarization is, of course, the possibility that the final decision may be too far to one extreme and may not accurately reflect the group’s true consensus. You can find more information about group polarization through a number of sources, including a meta-analytic review like the one shown here or any psychological bulletins relating to the subject.
How therapy can help with the bystander effect
If you frequently find yourself practicing diffusion of responsibility, stepping back or being afraid to speak up in group situations, therapy is one option that may help. A therapist can provide you with a safe space to work on examining the root of this pattern and then addressing it. For example, they may be able to help you build your self-esteem, polish your communication skills, or work on conflict resolution or boundary setting. Or, if you’re a leader looking to improve your management skills, a therapist may be able to help you with things like assertiveness, confidence, and stress management.
You can meet with a therapist either in person or online. For those who are having trouble locating a suitable provider in their area or simply prefer the comfort, convenience, or cost-effectiveness of online therapy, a platform like BetterHelp is one option. You can fill out a questionnaire about your needs and preferences and get matched with a licensed therapist accordingly. Since research suggests that online and in-person therapy offer similar benefits, you can choose the format that works best for you.
Takeaway
What is the diffusion of responsibility in psychology?
Diffusion of responsibility is a theory that states that individuals are less likely to take action or make a decision when others are present. The concept can be applied in several fields and contexts, including abnormal, social, forensic, and organizational psychology.
Social psychologists John Darley and Bibb Latené are among the most recognized scientists in the field for their research on the diffusion of responsibility in the 1960s. Although diffusion of responsibility is most commonly associated with inaction in public emergencies, it can also emerge in group settings where individuals must work together, such as in a workplace environment.
Bystander effect
Diffusion of responsibility is sometimes referred to as "the bystander effect," or the tendency for individuals to ignore an emergency situation when others are present. The presence of bystanders can create a diffusion of responsibility in which each individual assumes that someone else will take care of the emergency.
Research points to several factors that might influence whether or not individuals in a group setting will take action during an emergency. These include:
- Familiarity: People are more likely to intervene if they know the person who needs help.
- Connection: When people feel a connection to or share a similarity with someone, they're more likely to help.
- Clarity: People are less likely to take action if they are unclear on what is happening.
- Group size: The larger a group is, the less likely it is that an individual will help.
- Qualification: Individuals who are qualified to help in a situation are more likely to take action.
- Discrimination: People with pre-existing biases about the person who needs help are less likely to take action.
What is an example of a diffused responsibility when people feel less responsibility for taking action in a given situation?
In a public setting, an example might include when an individual collapses or injures themselves in a populated place, but no one stops to help because they assume someone else will, or someone else is more qualified to help. In a workplace example, an individual might witness an employee being harassed by another but say nothing because they think they should "mind their own business."
What is the diffusion of responsibility in psychology today?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), diffusion of responsibility is defined as: "the diminished sense of responsibility often experienced in individuals in groups and social collectives." The APA recognizes diffusion of responsibility as a possible facilitator behind group-level phenomena within several contexts.
What is an example of diffusion of responsibility in business when there's a strong tendency for each individual to assume someone else will act?
An example of diffusion of responsibility in the workplace might be if an employee notices dishonest behavior in their company but doesn't report it because they think everyone else already knows.
Social loafing: When diffusion of responsibility occurs in the workplace
The concept of social loafing is also a prevalent example of diffusion of responsibility in the business world. The term social loafing refers to the tendency of individuals to shirk tasks and responsibilities when they are part of a group. Because they are sharing the responsibility with others, they might feel less personal accountability and assume their contributions will have little impact on the task or project. Aside from diffusion of responsibility, motivation levels, group sizes, and expectations can influence an individual's likelihood of engaging in social loafing.
How do you use diffusion of responsibility in a sentence?
- "It was the diffusion of responsibility that kept bystanders from helping the woman who fell down the stairs."
- "The murder of Kitty Genovese is one of the most famous examples of diffusion of responsibility."
- "John Darley and Bibb Latane conducted experiments measuring diffusion of responsibility in different circumstances."
- "Diffusion of responsibility occurs most commonly in large groups."
What is the diffusion of responsibility in the environment?
Abundant scientific evidence shows that climate change has a significantly damaging impact on human health and the environment, but with a concerted global effort, we can slow or possibly reverse the threat of climate change.
However, despite the possibility of change through action, many people don't feel climate change is important enough to address. Diffusion of responsibility has been cited as a contributing factor to these attitudes and a potential reason why countries, corporations, and individuals fail to take appropriate action—even though it might help slow or stop the progression of climate change. Simply put, the global population may have the perception that everyone else is doing something about climate change and can make a more significant impact, so they don't make an effort to contribute to the solution.
How do you address it when diffusion of responsibility occurs?
Resolving issues of diffusion of responsibility in environments such as the workplace can be challenging, but there are some strategies one might use to address it:
- Promote awareness and educate your team about the concept and how it can impact decision-making and behavior. Diffusion of responsibility isn't always easy to recognize. Once people know what to look for, they can work on reducing those behaviors.
- Promote an overall sense of personal responsibility and accountability regardless of the presence of others. When we encourage individuals to take initiative, make decisions, and take action when help is needed rather than assuming someone else will do the job, it can help them feel more confident in their roles, as well.
- Build a culture of mutual support, empathy, and cooperation within teams to cultivate a sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of others. People who understand each other and have a camaraderie are more likely to do their part in getting a job done.
- Provide clear expectations for roles and responsibilities within the team and establish norms that encourage active participation, problem-solving, and support for others.
- Exhibit pro-social leadership qualities, lead by example, and encourage others to step up, too. Positive role models can motivate others to act responsibly with empathy and help others in need.
- Foster open communication, cooperation, and collaboration among the group. This can encourage collective action when solving problems and making decisions and further discourage responsibility diffusion by cultivating more confidence among team members.
What is the diffusion of responsibility in criminal behavior?
Studies suggest that diffusion of responsibility may play a role in criminal behavior. For example, a 2021 study published in the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency found that adolescents engaging in criminal behavior felt a diminished sense of responsibility for their actions when acting within a group. Within the context of crime, diffusion of responsibility can have a significant impact on an individual's decision-making, moral reasoning, and behavior. It can be particularly relevant in organized crime operations or gangs in which individuals are part of a larger hierarchy or network.
What is the diffusion of responsibility in moral disengagement?
Moral disengagement and diffusion of responsibility are related concepts that can influence how people make choices and behave in social situations. While diffusion of responsibility is characterized by the tendency for individuals to feel less responsible for taking action in a group setting, moral disengagement is a more complex psychological process of justifying or rationalizing unethical behavior.
Diffusion of responsibility can sometimes (but not always) contribute to moral disengagement by reducing one's sense of personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions within a group setting. When individuals feel diminished accountability for their behavior, they may be more likely to use moral disengagement strategies to justify or excuse unethical conduct.
Additional questions
What is the bystander effect in AP Psychology?
How does the diffusion of responsibility affect helping behavior?
What is the diffusion of responsibility in decision making?
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