diffusion of responsibility

the diminished sense of responsibility often experienced by individuals in groups and social collectives. The diffusion has been proposed as a possible mediator of a number of group-level phenomena, including the bystander effect, choice shifts, deindividuation, social loafing, and reactions to social dilemmas. See also confusion of responsibility. [first described in 1970 by U.S. social psychologists John M. Darley (1938– ) and Bibb Latané (1937– )]

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Psychology term of the day

January 30th 2025

electronarcosis

n. a form of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in which the amount of electricity, the duration of the shock, or both is sufficient to generate the tonic phase of a seizure but either limits or prevents the clonic phase. Electronarcosis is a generally less effective alternative to standard ECT and is more likely to cause side effects. The technique has also been used to induce relaxation and sleep. See electrosleep therapy.