Catherine Genovese case introduced which social phenomenon?

Catherine Genovese case introduced which social phenomenon?

• A. Onlookers
• B. Witnessers
• C. Spectators
• D. Bystanders

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is that people are often less likely to help someone in trouble when other people are present, a pattern known as the bystander effect. The Kitty Genovese case helped popularize this idea by highlighting how many bystanders reportedly witnessed an attack but did not intervene, which sparked investigation into why crowds can dampen helping behavior. The term that best fits this phenomenon centers on the role of the group—bystanders—and how their presence can influence outcomes. The other terms describe people who are present but don’t explicitly name the social-psychology mechanism at work; they don’t capture the specific effect on helping behavior. So naming the participants as bystanders aligns with the social phenomenon being discussed.

The key idea here is that people are often less likely to help someone in trouble when other people are present, a pattern known as the bystander effect. The Kitty Genovese case helped popularize this idea by highlighting how many bystanders reportedly witnessed an attack but did not intervene, which sparked investigation into why crowds can dampen helping behavior. The term that best fits this phenomenon centers on the role of the group—bystanders—and how their presence can influence outcomes. The other terms describe people who are present but don’t explicitly name the social-psychology mechanism at work; they don’t capture the specific effect on helping behavior. So naming the participants as bystanders aligns with the social phenomenon being discussed.