Pilliavin Flashcards
Background
The murder of Kitty Genovese- 38 people saw the murder and did not call the police.
Aim
To study bystander behaviour in a realistic setting and to investigate 4 situational variables on helping behaviour; Type and race of the victim, model behaviour and the size of the group
Research method
Feild experiment, with participant observation
Sample Method
Opportunity sampling; whoever was in the train station
Sample
4450 men and women
45% black, 55% white
Victims
aged 26-35 males
3 white, one black
Models
26-29 white males
IV
Type (Ill/Drunk)
Race (White/Black)
Model (close or distant from victim, early or late in helping)
Size
DV
Bystander helping behaviour
time taken to help + number of passengers helping
Type+race of victims receiving help
62/65 - ill
19/38 - drunk
100% white, drunk
78% black, drunk
Model results
Ill victims: 100%
White drunk: 77%
Black Drunk: 67%
Model initiated 3/65 of trials
Spontaneous Helpers
90% males,
and 64% white.
Diffusion of responsibility results
False: Faster response rate when 7 people were present than when 3 people were present in the critical area.
Qualitative comments
“I wish I could help him.”
“I’m not strong enough.”
Bystander effect
Actions of bystanders who don’t help others in the event of an emergency.
