The Decision To Help

Research Paper # 96004

Psychology
Psychology > Social

This paper explores the effects of authority and alacrity on an individual's decision to help another.

3,188 words () | 3 sources | MLA | 2005 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper explores the classic social psychology works of S. Milgram and J.M. Darley and C.D. Batson. The paper shows how these works, which target seemingly unrelated ideas of authority and a sense of alacrity, can be combined to examine their individual and collective effects on an individual's decision to help or refrain from helping another person in need. The paper utilizes these two independent variables of a sense of rapidity and a high/low authority condition in order to determine what role authority and speed plays in an individual's decision to act.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Method

From the Paper:

"Authority figures command obedience through their perceived status in the society and position of influence over an individual. It is assumed that this status and position of influence is gained by adhering to socially-acceptable (even socially-exemplary) beliefs, norms, and ethics. One question studied for many years has been a discord between these socially-acceptable beliefs and beliefs enforced by a rogue authority figure. Milgram's 1968 study of obedience and disobedience to authority presents a disturbing picture, where an individual is willing to inflict harm on another merely at the insistence of a perceived authority figure (Milgram, 1968)."

Sample of Sources Used:

Darley, J. M. & Batson, C. D. (1973). From Jerusalem to Jericho: A study of situational and dispositional variables in helping behavior. Journal of personality and social psychology, 27, 100-108.
Darley, J. M. & Latane, B. (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility. Journal of personality and social psychology, 8, 377-383.
Milgram, S. (1968). Some conditions of obedience and disobedience to authority. International Journal of Psychiatry. 6(4). 259-276.