What best describes the "reasonable person" standard?

The "reasonable person" standard is best understood as a measure of how an average person would act under similar circumstances. This standard serves as a foundational principle in negligence cases, where the conduct of an individual is assessed against what a typical, prudent person would do in a comparable situation. It helps to establish a baseline for expected behavior, ensuring that individuals are held to a common standard of care rather than subjective perceptions of reasonableness.

The application of this standard is critical in determining whether a defendant's actions were negligent, as it evaluates whether their behavior fell short of the established norms that society expects from individuals in similar scenarios. By using this standard, courts can maintain objectivity and fairness in evaluating behavior in tort cases, focusing on overall societal expectations rather than personal beliefs or feelings.