Bystander Effect or Bystander Apathy

Bystander effect, also called bystander apathy, a key factor of the diffusion of responsibility, describes individuals as less likely to help someone in need or intervene in an emergency situation when others are also present. This happens when witnessing crimes, violence, or bullying. One reason is the ambiguity of the situation and the social influence of other’s inaction. The bystander effect was notorious after the 1964 Kitty Genovese murder in New York City, in which 38 witnesses failed to intervene.