Unit VI Scholarly Activity

Justin Erby

228342

PSY 3140-18I-6A21-S1

Social Psychology

Unit VI Scholarly Activity SP

Unit VI Scholarly Activity SP 2

Question 1

I pretended to have stumbled and twisted my ankle in public. Since I was in my heels, it

was easy to fake a momentary injury, and act helpless, and in need of someone to help lift me up to

my unhurt foot and walk me to a street bench and then I would be okay. I repeated this four times

in different locations.

Question 2

In two locations, there were many people. Most of them seemed to be waiting for someone,

or just passing time. There were limited movements. I chose a spot where most of them would see

me fall, or on the ground writhing in pain. In both areas, people were not quick to assist. I spent a

few minutes on the ground as they drew each other’s attention towards me. One person finally

approached me to ask if I was okay despite noticing that I was not. Five people at most from both

sites came and helped me to my feet and walked me to the bench as the others stared. In the other

areas where only few people were around, more people quickly rushed to find out if I was okay

and if I needed medical care (Heinzen & Goodfriend, 2019). They helped me to the seat and asked

if I was sure I was going to be fine and only left when I insisted that it was not serious. Few

passersby who had spotted me on the ground stopped to enquire if I was okay. In my view, their

concern for me seemed genuine.

Question 3

The response I received fits with the bystander effect as presented in the textbook’s

discussion. In the areas where there were many people, they seemed to be thinking that there was

no need to come to my aid because someone would. From my perception, it seemed like a waiting

game. When someone offered to help, the rest kept watching from a distance, with few inching a

Raymond Wood
This is not an in-text citation because the author is not being quoted or rephrased.
Unit VI Scholarly Activity SP 3

little closer to find out the reason for my distress. However, they just gazed. In the other scenario

where few people were around me, their concern for me was evident as some who seemed to be in

a hurry stopped and demonstrated a readiness to intervene.

Question 4

Behavior that may provoke an aggressive response instead of an aiding one would be if I

conducted myself in an attention-seeking manner. This characteristic is repelling to many people.

Humans are afraid of responsibility they are not ready for and want to help only by altruism.

However, some will help when there is something to gain. Rudeness would also provoke

aggression. If I was to throw insults at those who had ignored me, I believe some of the bystanders

would have reciprocated despite me feeling upset at them for being unhelpful.

However, if I were to insult those who had helped, they would have felt hurt. If I would

have been aggressive as they helped me to the bench, they probably would have left me to struggle

in my pain. I also think that they still could have helped me to the seat and asked if I was fine

before leaving. If I would have insulted them after helping me get on the seat, maybe they would

have insulted me back for being ungrateful, given me a painful look, or reminded me that their

kindness was altruistic and that I did not need to offend them. Wilson (2014) argues that people’s

opinion on altruism depends on their personal or societal values. Therefore, their response to my

aggression would be influenced by such factors.

Unit VI Scholarly Activity SP 4

References

Heinzen, T. & Goodfriend, W. (2019). Social psychology. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE

Publications, Inc.

Wilson, D. (2014). Does altruism exist? : culture, genes, and the welfare of others. New Haven

West Conshohocken, PA: Yale University Press Templeton Press.