A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What kind of victim was used in the Piliavin et al. study?

1. Young and healthy

2. Drunk or ill

3. Emotionally disturbed

4. Homeless

The correct answer is: Drunk or ill

The Piliavin et al. study focused on examining bystander intervention in emergencies, particularly the factors that influence people’s willingness to help someone in distress. In the experiment, the researchers used a victim who was either ill or appearing to be drunk. This choice was intentional to elicit different responses based on the perceived need for help and the interpretation of the situation by the bystanders. Using a victim who appeared to be drunk or ill provided a valuable contrast to explore societal attitudes toward helping individuals based on the nature of their condition. The differences in responses from bystanders when faced with these types of victims highlighted important elements of social psychology, including the influence of situational factors on prosocial behavior. The other choices, such as young and healthy, emotionally disturbed, or homeless, do not reflect the primary focus of the experiment and do not align with the study's results regarding the effect of perceived responsibility and victim character on bystander intervention. Therefore, the choice of a drunk or ill victim was essential in understanding the dynamics of helping behavior showcased in the research.