Piliavin (1969) - Possible conclusions

Question 1

Who is most likely to receive help from bystanders - a drunk or a disabled person?

Answer 1

disabled person

Question 2

Who is more likely, men or women, to help a male victim?

Answer 2

men

Question 3

In terms of race, what makes the bystander more likely to help the victim?

Answer 3

if victim = same race as them

Question 4

How does size of group affect helping behaviour?

Answer 4

no strong relationship between number of bystanders and how quickly they help the victim

Question 5

What happens the longer an incident carries on for?

Answer 5

bystanders = more likely to leave area and discuss the incident rather than providing help

Question 6

What does being in an emergency situation result in for bystanders and what is this interpreted as?

Answer 6

raises levels of arousal

interpreted as sympathy or as fear + disgust

Question 7

What is the aim of bystander’s behaviour in an emergency situation and how is this achieved?

Answer 7

reduce levels of arousal
achieved by:
1) helping directly
2) leaving to find help
3) leaving the area
4) dismissing the victim as being unworthy of help

Question 8

What happens when escape from the situation is not possible for the bystander?

Answer 8

more likely to help

Question 9

How do bystanders make the decision whether to help or not?

Answer 9

conduct a cross-reward analysis

Question 10

What factors are considered in the cross-reward analysis for helping and not helping?

Answer 10

helping - costs:
fear
embarrassment
effort
Helping - rewards:
praise

not helping - costs:
self-blame
blame from others
not helping - rewards:
continuing activities