Edwin Happens Upon a Crime in Progress but Does Nothing

question 73

Multiple Choice

Edwin happens upon a crime in progress but does nothing to assist the victims or even summon the police. Later, he says he was afraid for his personal safety. This type of explanation, which may help explain the inaction of witnesses in the case of Kitty Genovese, is best described by the principle of _________.

• A)perceived cost.
• B)situational ambiguity.
• C)diffusion of responsibility.
• D)attributions of the cause of need.
• E)cognitive dissonance.

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Definitions:

Cannon-Bard Theory

A theory of emotion that argues that physiological arousal and emotional experience occur simultaneously, but independently.

Guilty Knowledge Test

A psychological assessment that measures physiological responses to recognize familiarity with an event or object.

Two-Factor Theories

Psychological theories that propose two distinct factors contribute to the emotional and psychological experience, often used in contexts like motivation and emotion.

James-Lange Theory

A theory proposing that emotions result from physical reactions to stimuli before they are experienced.