Pilliavin et al. - Helping Behaviour

Question 1

What was the aim of Piliavin et al.’s study on helping behaviour?

Answer 1

• To investigate under real life conditions the effect on the speed, race of helper and frequency of helping behaviour that the type of victim has. Also to investigate the validity of Pluralistic Ignorance and the Diffusion of Responsibility.

Question 2

What were the IVs and DVs of Piliavin et al.’s study?

Answer 2

• IV - Type of victim, race of victim, presence of helping models and the size of the witnessing group.
• DV - Frequency & speed of help, race of helper, sex of helper, movement out of the critical area and verbal comments made by passengers.

Question 3

How many participants were there in Piliavin et al.’s study and what are their characteristics?

Answer 3

• 4450 witnesses.

* 45% black, 55% white.

Question 4

Where were all the experimenters positioned on the carriage in Piliavin et al.’s study?

Answer 4

• The two female observers were positioned outside the critical area seated discreetly taking notes.
• The victim was positioned inside the critical area by the pole, where he would fall down.
• The role model would stand nearby and help him to feet at the end of the journey.

Question 5

What was the procedure for the experimenters in Piliavin et al.’s study?

Answer 5

• The team of 2 females and 2 males would enter the carriage using different doors.
• The female observers would be seated outside the critical area and discreetly take notes.
• Victim would stand next to the pole in the critical area and collapse after 70 seconds into the journey facing the ceiling.
• If no help was given after 70 seconds in the early model condition, or after 150 seconds in the late model condition, the role model would help him up.

Question 6

Why did diffusion of responsibility not occur in Piliavin et al.’s study?

Answer 6

• The trend for helping behaviour increased as the carriage became fuller, not the other way round.

Question 7

What were some of the results from Piliavin et al.’s study?

Answer 7

• 100% of victims were helped in the ill condition.

* 71.4% of the drunk black victims were helped, while 87.5% of the drunk white victims were helped.

Question 8

How was the victim standardised in Piliavin et al.’s study?

Answer 8

• Behaviour and dress was standardised across all victims.
• Both conditions the victim staggered over after 70 seconds and remained motionless staring at the ceiling.
• Both conditions the victim wore identical clothes, one of which being an Eisenhower jacket.

Question 9

What was the motivation for Piliavin et al.’s study on helping behaviour?

Answer 9

• The murder of Kitty Genovese where no help was given despite the killer returning 3 times to finish off her.