What did the Latane and Darley (1968) study demonstrate?

The Latane and Darley study from 1968 is a seminal experiment in social psychology that illuminated how group dynamics can influence helping behavior, particularly in emergency situations. Specifically, it demonstrated that as the size of the group increases, the likelihood of individuals providing help decreases. This phenomenon is often referred to as the "bystander effect."

In their study, Latane and Darley placed participants in situations where they believed they were witnessing an emergency, such as someone having a seizure. When participants were alone, they were more likely to intervene compared to when they were in a group with others, who also might be witnessing the emergency. This observation can be attributed to diffusion of responsibility; when more people are present, individuals feel less personal responsibility to act, assuming that someone else will.

This finding has significant implications for understanding social behaviors in crises and emphasizes the importance of group size on helping behavior, directly supporting the chosen answer. The study serves as a powerful reminder of how the context in which people find themselves can dramatically affect their actions and decisions in critical situations.