Question

The police finally rescued 14-year-old elizabeth smart after she was held captive for over nine months by a drifter and his female companion. when details of her captivity were widely publicized, some observers publicly questioned why the girl never tried to escape or get the attention of the police. such responses illustrate an attributional pattern called diffusion of responsibility.

Answer 1

The correct answer is blaming the victim.
In trying to create an opinion about the kidnapping, some observers started blaming the victim, and not only her captors. They start wondering why she didn't even try to escape, thinking that it might even be her own fault for staying kidnapped for such a long time. 

Answer 2

The police finally rescued 14-year-old Elizabeth smart after she was held captive for over nine months by a drifter and his female companion. When details of her captivity were widely publicized, some observers publicly questioned why the girl never tried to escape or get the attention of the police. Such responses illustrate an attributional pattern called blaming the victim.