Cambridge International AS 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 questions29 marksFree, no account
Question 1
1 mark

In the Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) study, what was the primary difference in the operationalisation of the 'ill' victim versus the 'drunk' victim?

Question 2
1 mark

In the study by Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans), which of the following describes the role of the two female observers?

Question 3
1 mark

Piliavin et al. found that helping behavior did not decrease as the number of bystanders increased. Which of the following best explains why the diffusion of responsibility effect was not observed in this field experiment?

Question 4
1 mark

In the study by Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans), which of the following is a correct description of the victims used in the experiment?

Question 5
1 mark

Regarding the results of the Piliavin et al. study, what was the observed relationship between the number of bystanders and the speed of helping?

Question 6
3 marks

Identify two quantitative measures of the dependent variable that were recorded by the observers while the victim was collapsed on the floor.

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Question 7
5 marks

Explain why the use of qualitative data, such as the recorded comments of female passengers, was necessary to supplement the quantitative findings in this study.

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Question 8
4 marks

Explain one reason why the study by Piliavin et al. is categorized as a field experiment rather than a naturalistic observation.

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Question 9
5 marks

Piliavin et al. conducted a field experiment to investigate bystander behavior on a New York subway.

(a) Describe the standardized behavior of the 'victim' during the trials. [2]

(b) Explain one way in which the study attempted to control for the variable of 'diffusion of responsibility'. [2]

(c) Identify one qualitative finding recorded by the observers during the study. [1]

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Question 10
7 marks

The study by Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) utilized a field experiment to observe bystander intervention.

(a) Identify two of the four independent variables manipulated in this study. [2]

(b) Explain one strength and one weakness of using a field experiment to investigate bystander apathy in this study. [2]

(c) Based on the findings regarding the 'ill' and 'drunk' conditions, describe how the cost-reward model explains the differences in the speed of helping. Refer to specific results in your answer. [3]

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