Diffusion of Responsibility?

"Not My Problem”: The Curious Case of Diffusion of Responsibility

Imagine this: you’re walking down a busy city street when suddenly a man collapses right in front of you. You freeze. You look around—there are at least 20 people around you. Strangely, no one steps forward. You think, “Surely someone else will help.” So you walk on.

Welcome to the psychological phenomenon known as diffusion of responsibility—when individuals are less likely to take action or feel a sense of responsibility in the presence of others. This phenomenon was dramatically explored by psychologists Piliavin, Rodin, and Piliavin in 1969, in what’s now famously known as the subway samaritan study. Picture this: researchers staged emergencies on a New York subway. An actor would stagger and collapse in the train—sometimes appearing drunk, sometimes appearing ill. What they found was eye-opening.

When the “victim” appeared ill (with a cane), help arrived quickly—often within seconds. But when he looked drunk, people were far slower, if they responded at all. Most intriguingly, when more passengers were present, individuals were less likely to intervene. Why? Because responsibility was diffused across the group. “Someone else will do it.” This was predominantly found in the case of the drunk victim than the ill victim.

It’s a little like when no one volunteers to answer a teacher’s question in a crowded classroom. Or when a fire alarm goes off in a building and everyone looks to each other before deciding whether it’s “real.” The more people there are, the less pressure any one person feels to act.

Diffusion of responsibility can make good people passive. But understanding it gives us power. Next time you’re in a group and someone needs help—remember: if you don’t act, maybe no one will.

Sometimes, being the only one to move is what makes you human.