Ds10, 2

Discussion 2: Diffusion of Responsibility

For this Discussion, you will examine conditions that influence diffusion of responsibility. Consider the following scenario of Brenda:

    Brenda was completing a 1-year internship in Baltimore. Luckily, she found an apartment not far from school. To get     some exercise, acquaint herself with her new surroundings, and listen to her music, she walked to and from school     every day. The 2-mile route took her past Johns Hopkins University, an extremely busy campus teeming with     students and passersby. On her way home one day, music blasting in her ears, Brenda suddenly found herself head     down in a muddy ravine right in front of the university’s main quad. Someone had come up from behind and pushed     her…hard. She was not hurt, but at that moment, she was head down, feet sticking up in the air, in full view of     everyone on the Hopkins’ campus. Attempting to right herself, she wondered why none of the many onlookers     offered their assistance.

To Prepare

• Review the Learning Resources for this week and examine how social psychology theory and research explain the diffusion of responsibility.
• Consider the reasons why none of the onlookers stopped to help Brenda.

By Day 4

Post an explanation about why none of the onlookers offered their assistance. Your explanation must be informed by social psychology theory and research. 

By Day 6

Respond to at least one of your colleagues in the following way:

If you were Brenda, how might you have solicited help from one of the many bystanders? Your explanation must be informed by social psychology theory and research.