Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A person in distress refers to an individual who is experiencing a state of emotional or physical suffering and requires immediate help or support.
Related terms
Bystander effect: The bystander effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to intervene or offer help when they are part of a larger group.
Diffusion of responsibility: The diffusion of responsibility occurs when individuals feel less personally responsible for taking action because they believe that someone else will step up and help the person in distress.
Social influence: Social influence involves how the presence or actions of others can affect an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In this case, the presence of others may lead to decreased helping behavior towards a person in distress.