As group size increases it is less likely that individuals will come forward to complete group tasks unless specifically assigned to do so. What term describes this phenomenon of group dynamics?
A Parkinson’s Law
B diffusion of responsibility
C goal displacement
D the Peter principle
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B) diffusion of responsibility.
Diffusion of responsibility refers to the psychological phenomenon in which individuals in a group are less likely to take responsibility for action or decision-making as the size of the group increases. This happens because each person assumes that others will take charge or contribute, leading to a decrease in individual effort. In other words, the larger the group, the less accountable each person feels for completing a task or taking initiative.
This concept is commonly observed in group settings, especially in situations where the task or goal is not clearly assigned to individuals. People may feel that their contribution is not as essential in a larger group, or they may believe that others will take over the task, resulting in a lack of motivation.
A classic example of this is seen in group projects where individuals may delay completing their part of the work, assuming that others will step in to fill the gap. In extreme cases, this phenomenon can lead to complete inaction, where the responsibility is so spread out that no one feels compelled to act.
The concept is often associated with social psychology studies, such as the well-known Kitty Genovese case, where bystanders did not intervene during an emergency due to the presence of many other people who could have helped.
This effect is countered by assigning clear individual responsibilities or by creating smaller groups where each person’s contribution is more visible and vital. In smaller groups, individuals are more likely to feel a sense of accountability and are thus more likely to engage in completing tasks and making decisions.