Cambridge International A Level · Psychology (9990)

Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans): Practice Questions

5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans).

10 questions23 marksFree, no account

Question 1

1 mark

In the Piliavin et al. study, which victim condition received spontaneous help significantly more often and faster?

Question 2

1 mark

Which of the following describes two of the independent variables (IVs) systematically manipulated by Piliavin et al. in the subway experiment?

Question 3

1 mark

When comparing the results for the black and white victims in the 'drunk' condition, Piliavin et al. found a tendency towards same-race helping. How is this specific result often interpreted within the context of the cost-reward model?

Question 4

1 mark

Which research method did Piliavin et al. primarily use in their study of helping behavior on the New York subway?

Question 5

1 mark

In addition to the quantitative measures of helping, Piliavin et al. also collected qualitative data. Which of the following examples represents qualitative data recorded by the observers?

Question 6

2 marks

Outline one measure of the dependent variable recorded by the observers in the Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) study, related to the nature of help provided.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 7

4 marks

Explain why the Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) study is often considered to have high ecological validity compared to earlier laboratory experiments on bystander behavior.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 8

5 marks

Explain how the high rate of immediate helping in the 'ill' condition found by Piliavin et al. challenged the Darley and Latané theory of diffusion of responsibility.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 9

3 marks

State two key quantitative results found by Piliavin et al. regarding the type of victim (drunk versus ill/cane) and the frequency of spontaneous first help.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

Question 10

4 marks

Outline the traditional concept of 'diffusion of responsibility' and explain why the overall findings from the Piliavin et al. study challenged this established theory of bystander apathy.

Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.

* The content provided by thinka is generated by AI and may not always be accurate or up-to-date. Please use it as a supplementary resource and verify with official materials.

You've seen the model answer. Now get yours marked.

This page can show you how a good answer looks. It cannot tell you what your answer was missing. thinka marks your written work against the real mark scheme in about 15 seconds.

Get My Answers Marked Back to the notes

Want more questions like these? Get a fresh set on this topic, graded as you go.