What is the Piliavin experiment?
Piliavin et al. designed a field experiment, using covert observation to test several variables and their effect on helping behaviour. These included the responsibility of the victim (drunk/cane,) race of the victim, effect of modelling and effect of group size.
Why was Piliavin a field experiment?
Piliavin et al. (1969) conducted a field study to investigate these effects. The study aimed to determine whether subway passengers would be more likely to help someone drunk or ill and white or black. They also wanted to know if the presence of a helper would influence others to help too.
Is the Piliavin study valid?
Reliability. There is high inter-rater reliability as there were two observers recording the same information which could be triangulated. The observers covered most of the carriage so all information was gathered. The timings were consistent and the way in which the study was conducted was standardised.
What were the conclusions of the Piliavin study?
Conclusion. One of the surprising findings in this study was that there was no diffusion of responsibility. The size of the group made no difference to how much help a victim received. Piliavin et al.
How does Piliavin link to the social area?
How does Piliavin link to the social area? because they were investigating the impact that other people have on our behaviour and whether the likelihood of someone helping out in an emergency situation is increased or decreased by the known visible presence of other witnesses to the event.
How was data collected in Piliavin?
Piliavin, Rodin and Piliavin: This observational study gathered mainly qualitative data using response categories, such as the speed of helping, the frequency of helping, the colour and sex of the helpers. The two observers recorded different things.
What ethical issues did the Piliavin study have?
Ethical Considerations: There a number of ethical issues associated with Piliavin et al.’s study. Participants were unaware that they were taking part in an experiment, therefore they could not consent to take part and it was also not possible to withdraw from the study or be debriefed.
How was qualitative data collected in Piliavin study?
What was the Piliavin experiment in 1969?
Piliavin et al put some of these questions to the test in their field experiment in 1969. The research was conducted over a six week period in New York City in 1969. Four teams of researchers were assembled to gather data on a specific train line between Harlem and the Bronx between 11am – 3pm on weekdays.
What was the purpose of the Piliavin study?
Piliavin I. M., Rodin, J., & Piliavin, J. A. (1969). Good samaritanism: an underground phenomenon?. Journal of personality and social psychology, 13 (4), 289. This study was designed to investigate how a group of people would react if they saw a person who collapsed on a train.
What are the ethical issues with Piliavin’s study?
Ethical Considerations: There a number of ethical issues associated with Piliavin et al.’s study. Participants were unaware that they were taking part in an experiment, therefore they could not consent to take part and it was also not possible to withdraw from the study or be debriefed.
How were the trials of the victims determined?
The trials were determined randomly. Size of the witnessing group (a naturally occurring independent variable). The victims were: males aged 26 -35; three white, one black; identically dressed in a US army – style jacket, old trousers, no tie. The ‘drunk’ smelled of alcohol, carried a spirits bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag (38 trials).