many helpers or just one kitty genovese incident does the situation matter? good samaritan study

Many Helpers or Just One

• Kitty Genovese Incident• Does the Situation Matter?

• Good Samaritan Study

Good Samaritan Study

• Subjects were all seminary students

• They were either late for an appointment, on time, or early

• Some were giving a talk on the good Samaritan parable. Other were talking about job opportunities; personality measures were included

• They meet a “neighbor” on the way to their appointment


• Good Samaritan Study• Is there an Emergency?

• Smoke Filled Room Study


Smoked Filled Room Experiment

• Subjects are either alone in a 3 person group or with 2 confederates

• As they fill-out a questionnaire the room begins to fill with smoke

• They can report the smoke the question is do they do it.



• Smoke Filled Room Study• Lady in Distress Study


Lady in Distress Study

• They sat waiting for an experiment to begin either alone, in pairs of strangers, with a confederate, or with a friend

• The experimenter goes to the back room to get materials and they hear a crash and then hear her moaning and crying for help



• Smoke Filled Room Study• Lady in Distress Study

• Am I Responsible?• Seizure Study


Seizure Study

• They are in a study involving “discussion of personal problems.” One “subject” notes that he is an epileptic and his condition is quite serious

• In addition to the “epileptic” there are 1 subject, 2 subjects, or 5 subjects

• The epileptic has a seizure. Do the subjects help?

Summary of Decisions Involved

Two Processes Involved

• Is there an Emergency?• Pluralistic Ignorance

• Am I Responsible?• Diffusion of Responsibility

many helpers or just one kitty genovese incident does the situation matter? good samaritan study

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