Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) past paper questions

Question 1

Describe what was recorded by the female observers in the study by Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans). (4)

Answer 1

One noted the rate of passengers in the critical area. She also counted the number of passengers in the critical area and the total number of people who came to help the victim. She recorded the race of every helper.

Question 2

Explain one similarity and one difference between the study by Piliavin et al. and one other core study from the social approach. (8)

Answer 2

Both the Piliavin and Milgram studies have ethical issues of deception. In the study by Milgram participants believed they were giving real electric shocks to a complete stranger who could not remember word pairs. In the study by Piliavin the participants were led to believe that the drunk or ill victim was actually in need of help. The studies used stooges in different ways. Piliavin used a human stooge to fake a collapse with them being either ill or drunk so the participants did not know a stooge was used. In the study by perry, the participants met the animated stooge in various rooms until they felt the stooge was invading personal space.