Levine et al (2001)

Question 1

What is the Kin Selection Theory ?

Answer 1

Stems from Darwin’s evolutionary theory. If we share same genetic base, we are more likely to help even if it puts us in danger.

Question 2

What is the reciprocal altruism theory ?

Answer 2

We help someone because we believe it may be reciprocated in the future.

Question 3

Pro social value orientation

Answer 3

Responsibility to help because you are able.

Question 4

Social Exchange theory

Answer 4

People help because they want rewards from the one being helped. They calculate costs. (cost-benefit analysis).

Question 5

What is the system overload theory ?

Answer 5

People in urban areas are less helpful than people in rural areas because they experience greater sensory overload so they isolate their attention to things that matter.

Question 6

Aim of Levine

Answer 6

To investigate helping behaviours in a wide range of cultures, in large cities around the world, in 4 community variables.

Question 7

What were the 4 community variables in Levine ?

Answer 7

-Population size
-Economic wellbeing (Purchasing Power Parity)
-Cultural values (individualistic/ collectivist/ sympatia)
-Pace of life (Walking speed)

Question 8

Method of Levine

Answer 8

-Quasi experiment
-Independent measures design
-Cross cultural

Question 9

Where did Levine take place ?

Answer 9

Across 23 cities around the world : Rio, New York, Rome, etc.

Question 10

DV of Levine

Answer 10

Helping rates across 23 cities with 3 measures of behaviour correlated with 4 community variables.

Question 11

IV’s of Levine

Answer 11

1-dropping a pen
2-Hurt leg
3-Blind person (cane)

Question 12

IV 1 of Levine

Answer 12

Experimenter walked at a standardised pace of 15 steps per 10s. 10-15 ft from person, experimenter dropped pen and continued walking.

Question 13

DV of IV1 Levine

Answer 13

Scored as helped if called back.

Question 14

Sample of IV1 Levine

Answer 14

214 males/ 210 females over 23 countries.

Question 15

IV 2 of Levine

Answer 15

Walked with heavy limp wearing large visible leg brace and dropped pile of magazines.

Question 16

DV of IV2 Levine

Answer 16

Scored as help if they picked up magazines.

Question 17

Sample of IV2 Levine

Answer 17

253 males/ 240 females across 23 countries.

Question 18

IV3 of Levine

Answer 18

Experimenter dresses in dark glasses and had a white cane. Stood at crossing and waited until lights turn green. Trial stopped after 60s if no one helped.

Question 19

DV of IV3 Levine

Answer 19

Scored as help if informed them if lights were green.

Question 20

Results of experiment Levine (stability)

Answer 20

-Stability between IVs (strong)
-All positive= not significant but stable.
-If you get help in the blind condition, you can predict you will receive help in the pen condition.
-No significant gender differences.

Question 21

Community variables results

Answer 21

-Low correlations between variables.
-Reliable measure between PPP and helping behaviours (cities with increases PPP are less likely to help.
-Faster pace cities are less likely to help.
-Individualistic cultures show less overall help.

Question 22

Results of sympatia culture

Answer 22

-Increased helping behaviours in Brazil.
-They encourage a nice, agreeable and good natured culture.

Question 23

Why does Levine support the system overload theory ?

Answer 23

Urban areas are less likely to help than rural areas because they experience greater sensory overload so isolate their attention to things that matter.

Question 24

Conclusions of Levine

Answer 24

-Helping strangers is a cross cultural characteristic of a city.
-Large cross cultural variations in helping rates.
-Helping across cultures is inversely related to countries economic productivity.
-Values in collectivist and individualistic cultures are unrelated to helping behaviours.

Question 25

Why did fast paced cities have less helping behaviour ?

Answer 25

Not down to pace of life, but other individual variables related to economic wealth.

Question 26

How did Levine link to social area ?

Answer 26

Builds on Piliavin by investigating helping behaviour in non-confined settings and cross-culturally. Found cultural difference in altruism and offering culture as an explanation.