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6. Which correlation supports the bystander effect? 

A) The number of bystanders is positively correlated with the time it takes for someone to offer help in the case of an emergency.

B) The number of bystanders is negatively correlated with the time it takes for someone to offer help in the case of an emergency.

C) The number of bystanders is positively correlated with whether people judge a situation to be an emergency.

D) The number of bystanders is negatively correlated with whether people judge a situation to be an emergency.

The correct answer is A.

Rationale: This question also tests your knowledge of how social processes influence human behavior, but requires you to engage in statistical reasoning. You must understand the distinction between negative and positive correlations and make a prediction about the data based on your knowledge of the bystander effect, the theory that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when there are other people present. In this case, option A is the only answer providing data to support this theory: the more people that are present, the more time it will take for help to be offered – a positive correlation in which both factors increase.

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