A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

How long was the duration of the study conducted by Piliavin et al?

1. 1 month

2. 3 months

3. 6 months

4. 1 year

The correct answer is: 3 months

The duration of the study conducted by Piliavin et al. was not one of the given choices. Instead, this well-known research on bystander behavior, often referred to as the 'subway study,' took place over a period of several weeks and involved multiple trials with varying scenarios. The researchers observed reactions to emergency situations on New York City subway trains, aiming to understand how different factors—such as the type of victim and the surrounding environment—affected people's willingness to intervene. Specifically, the findings highlighted the influence of the victim's perceived neediness, race, and the presence of other bystanders on the likelihood of receiving help. This study effectively demonstrated the complexities of social behavior in emergency situations, emphasizing the role of situational variables on human actions. It's essential to refer to the primary source or study material for the precise duration, as the exact time frame might not align directly with the listed options. However, the main takeaway is that the focus was not solely on duration but rather on the intricate dynamics of helping behavior observed during the study period.