What is a potential barrier to bystander intervention?

The option that identifies a potential barrier to bystander intervention is linked to feelings of uncertainty about risking personal safety. When bystanders observe a situation in which intervention is appropriate, concerns about their own safety can inhibit their willingness to act. Individuals may hesitate to become involved if they perceive that intervening could put them at risk of harm, whether physical or social.

This barrier is compounded by the psychological phenomenon known as the "bystander effect," where individuals are less likely to offer help in emergencies when other people are present. They might second-guess their judgment or feel a personal responsibility is diminished among a group, leading to a reluctance to intervene.

In contrast, the presence of numerous bystanders can create a diffusion of responsibility, but it does not inherently prevent someone from intervening. Clear policies on intervention and sufficient training programs are designed to empower bystanders and provide them with the tools they need to act appropriately, thereby reducing obstacles to intervention rather than creating them.