Transcript The Effects of Chivalry and Group Size on Helping Behavior Jessica Heun Nathaniel Moore.

The Effects of Chivalry and
Group Size on Helping Behavior
Jessica Heun
Nathaniel Moore
Chivalry
• A “cultural script prescribing the
preferential treatment of women by men
in the contexts of protection and
provision” (Altermatt, 2001).
Chivalry Findings
• More offers of assistance were found when a stranded
driver was female (Simón, 1976).
• Men are in general less aggressive and more helpful
towards women than towards men (Eagly & Steffen,
1986; Eagly & Crowley, 1986).
• Confusion arises when women perform chivalrous
acts towards men (Ventimiglia, 1982).
Chivalry and Helping
• Connecting factor of responsibility
• Chivalry: cultivates responsibility to intervene
in an emergency situation
• Presence of others: counteracts that
responsibility (diffusion)
Diffusion of Responsibility
• As group size increases, the less likely or more
slowly any one bystander will provide assistance.
• Epileptic Seizure Study (Darley and Latane, 1969)
Our Hypothesis!!!
3.5
influenced by group
size
Time (min)
• Low chivalry more
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
• High chivalry more
resistant to outside
pressure
0
1
2
4
Group Size
High Chivalry
Low Chivalry
Step 1: Subject Variable
• Sample Items:
Chivalry Scale (α = .86)
- A man has an obligation to protect a woman
who is in danger (Altermatt, 2001).
Attitude toward Women Scale (α = .77)
- Women should worry less about their rights and
more about becoming good wives and mothers
(Spence, Helmreich, & Stapp, 1974).
Step 2: Manipulate Group Size
• Cover Story – Sign up Sheets and Backpacks
Step 3: Measure Helping
• Participant (N = 30
males) taken to room to
complete questionnaire.
• Recording of the
accident is played
(timing begins).
• 3 minute window
Reaction Time (min.)
Results
β
p
Group (G)
.37
.05
1
Chiv (C)
-.35
.046
0
CxG
.04
.81
3
High Chivalry
Low Chivalry
2
1
2
Group Size
4
Interpretations
- Alone: situational
pressure = help
- 3 others: situational
pressure = don’t help
- 1 other: situation
ambiguous = personality
factors become more
influential
- Greatest chivalry effect
(difference = 1.823
minutes)
Future Research
• Self-esteem research (chivalry contingency)
• Agentic versus Virtuous women
• Chivalry in women?
• More than 3 minute window for helping
Questions?
Sound File
• Sound played to participants over intercom