Lucas walks around his busy university campus between classes. He notices smoke coming from the side of the cafeteria, but assumes that someone inside already has called the fire department. What phenomenon does this example illustrate?
A) the just-world hypothesis
B) diffusion of responsibility
C) deindividuation
D) groupthink

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This example illustrates diffusion of responsibility, which is the tendency for individuals to feel a decreased sense of personal responsibility in a group setting, assuming that someone else will take action or responsibility. Lucas assumes that someone else has already called the fire department, rather than taking action himself.

Lucas Walks Around His Busy University Campus Between Classes