Group inhibition of bystander intervention in emergencies

Abstract

Male undergraduates found themselves in a smoke filled room either alone, with 2 nonreacting others, or in groups of 3. As predicted, Ss were less likely to report the smoke when in the presence of passive others (10%) or in groups of 3 (38% of groups) than when alone (75%). This result seemed to have been mediated by the way Ss interpreted the ambiguous situation; seeing other people remain passive led Ss to decide the smoke was not dangerous. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1968 American Psychological Association.