A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

How did Levine et al's study contradict Piliavin's findings?

1. Levine found no differences across genders in helping behavior

2. Levine's sample size was much larger

3. Piliavin's study omitted urban environments

4. Both stated identical findings regarding gender differences

The correct answer is: Levine found no differences across genders in helping behavior

Levine et al.'s study considerably highlighted the fact that there were no significant differences in helping behavior across genders, which serves as a contrasting point to Piliavin's findings. Piliavin's research indicated that there were observable gender differences in helping behavior, where men were more likely to help in emergency situations than women. Levine's findings challenge this notion by demonstrating that situational and cultural factors might play a more significant role in influencing helping behaviors than gender alone. In addition, the methodological variations between the two studies, such as sample size and the inclusion of diverse environments, contribute to the differences in outcomes, though these aspects do not directly address the focal point of gender comparisons. By emphasizing that Levine found no substantial gender differences in helping behavior, it becomes clear how this aspect diverges from Piliavin's conclusions, allowing for a deeper understanding of the complexity of human altruism informed by contextual factors.