Levine et al (2001) Flashcards
What is the Kin Selection Theory ?
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.
What is the reciprocal altruism theory ?
We help someone because we believe it may be reciprocated in the future.
Pro social value orientation
Responsibility to help because you are able.
Social Exchange theory
People help because they want rewards from the one being helped. They calculate costs. (cost-benefit analysis).
What is the system overload theory ?
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.
Aim of Levine
To investigate helping behaviours in a wide range of cultures, in large cities around the world, in 4 community variables.
What were the 4 community variables in Levine ?
-Population size
-Economic wellbeing (Purchasing Power Parity)
-Cultural values (individualistic/ collectivist/ sympatia)
-Pace of life (Walking speed)
Method of Levine
-Quasi experiment
-Independent measures design
-Cross cultural
Where did Levine take place ?
Across 23 cities around the world : Rio, New York, Rome, etc.
DV of Levine
Helping rates across 23 cities with 3 measures of behaviour correlated with 4 community variables.
IV’s of Levine
1-dropping a pen
2-Hurt leg
3-Blind person (cane)
IV 1 of Levine
Experimenter walked at a standardised pace of 15 steps per 10s. 10-15 ft from person, experimenter dropped pen and continued walking.
DV of IV1 Levine
Scored as helped if called back.
Sample of IV1 Levine
214 males/ 210 females over 23 countries.
IV 2 of Levine
Walked with heavy limp wearing large visible leg brace and dropped pile of magazines.
DV of IV2 Levine
Scored as help if they picked up magazines.
Sample of IV2 Levine
253 males/ 240 females across 23 countries.
IV3 of Levine
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.
DV of IV3 Levine
Scored as help if informed them if lights were green.
Results of experiment Levine (stability)
-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.
Community variables results
-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.
Results of sympatia culture
-Increased helping behaviours in Brazil.
-They encourage a nice, agreeable and good natured culture.
Why does Levine support the system overload theory ?
Urban areas are less likely to help than rural areas because they experience greater sensory overload so isolate their attention to things that matter.
Conclusions of Levine
-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.
Why did fast paced cities have less helping behaviour ?
Not down to pace of life, but other individual variables related to economic wealth.
How did Levine link to social area ?
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.
