Piliavin Flashcards
What was the methodology?
It was a field experiment.
What was the aim of the study?
To investigate the effect of several variables on helping behaviour using express trains of the New York Eight Avenue Subway
What were the independent variables?
The type of victim (drunk or ill). The race of the victim (black or white). The presence of a model (early or late). The number of bystanders present
What were the dependant variables?
Total number of passengers that helped. Gender, race of helper. Time before helper helped. Time before helper helped after model had assisted.
What was the sample?
About 4450 men and women using the train on weekdays between 11.00am and 3.00pm.
What did the male confederates always do?
One helped (model), one was the victim
What did the female confederates always do?
Both observed and recorded behaviour.
Describe the emergency.
Females sat outside the critical area. Males inside. Victim stood in the centre next to a pole. After 70 seconds, victim collapsed.
What were the conditions?
Drunk victim, cane victim, early model/critical area, late model/critical area, early model/adjacent area, late model/adjacent area.
