What was the main dependent variable in Latané and Darley's experiment on helping in emergency situations? the participant's level of altruism the participant's medical background the group size the time that elapsed until the participant left to get help

In Latané and Darley's groundbreaking experiment, the main dependent variable was the time that elapsed until the participant left to get help. The study set out to understand how the presence of others influenced an individual’s likelihood to intervene in an emergency, and by measuring the time it took for participants to respond, the researchers could assess the impact of group size on altruistic behavior. Interestingly, their findings revealed the "bystander effect," where individuals were less likely to offer assistance when others were present. This phenomenon has significant implications in understanding crowd behavior and how social dynamics can influence our decision-making in critical situations. So, the next time you find yourself in a group, remember how the actions of others around you can sway your own!