A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What was the total number of trials conducted with the 'drunk' confederate in the Piliavin et al study?

1. 62

2. 38

3. 65

4. 20

The correct answer is: 38

The correct answer, which reflects the total number of trials conducted with the 'drunk' confederate in the Piliavin et al. study, is significant as it helps highlight the experimental setup and the methodology used. In the context of the research, the total number of trials provides insight into the reliability and robustness of the data collected, enabling researchers to draw meaningful conclusions about bystander behavior in emergency situations. Piliavin's study was designed to examine various factors influencing helping behavior, such as the apparent state of the individual in distress (in this case, a 'drunk' confederate). The number of trials helps to establish a comprehensive dataset that reflects the variety of social interactions that can occur in real-life emergencies. With 38 trials involving the 'drunk' confederate, researchers were able to assess patterns in bystander intervention and the conditions under which individuals would offer help, enhancing the ecological validity of their findings. Understanding this aspect of the research design is critical in appreciating the broader implications of the study, such as social behavior, the influence of perceived intoxication on helping behavior, and situational factors in emergency contexts. Notably, it allows for a clear comparison between different conditions tested within the experiments, such as the '