What term refers to the reduction in feelings of personal burden when in the presence of others?

The reduction in feelings of personal burden when in the presence of others is known as diffusion of responsibility. This phenomenon occurs when individuals in a group setting feel less personally accountable for taking action or making decisions because the responsibility is perceived to be shared among all members of the group. As a result, individuals may be less likely to help others or take initiative, thinking that someone else will take action instead.

This concept is often highlighted in situations of emergencies where people witness an event, such as an accident or someone in distress. In such scenarios, if there are many observers, each person may assume that others will intervene, leading to a decreased likelihood that any single individual will offer help. This effect demonstrates how social contexts can influence personal behavior and decision-making.

The other terms do not accurately describe this phenomenon; superordinate goals refer to shared goals that necessitate cooperation among groups, mirror-image perceptions relate to mutual stereotypes formed between conflicting groups, and social traps concern situations where individuals act in their own self-interest contrary to the group's long-term benefit.