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

The Effects of Chivalry and The Effects of Chivalry and Group Size on Helping BehaviorGroup Size on Helping Behavior

Jessica HeunJessica Heun

Nathaniel MooreNathaniel Moore

ChivalryChivalry

• A “cultural script prescribing the A “cultural script prescribing the preferential treatment of women by men preferential treatment of women by men in the contexts of protection and in the contexts of protection and provision” (Altermatt, 2001).provision” (Altermatt, 2001).

Chivalry FindingsChivalry Findings

• More offers of assistance were found when a stranded More offers of assistance were found when a stranded driver was female (Simdriver was female (Simón, 1976).ón, 1976).

• Men are in general less aggressive and more helpful Men are in general less aggressive and more helpful towards women than towards men (Eagly & Steffen, towards women than towards men (Eagly & Steffen, 1986; Eagly & Crowley, 1986).1986; Eagly & Crowley, 1986).

• Confusion arises when women perform chivalrous Confusion arises when women perform chivalrous acts towards men (Ventimiglia, 1982).acts towards men (Ventimiglia, 1982).

Chivalry and HelpingChivalry and Helping

• Connecting factor of responsibilityConnecting factor of responsibility

• Chivalry: cultivates responsibility to intervene Chivalry: cultivates responsibility to intervene in an emergency situationin an emergency situation

• Presence of others: counteracts that Presence of others: counteracts that responsibility (diffusion)responsibility (diffusion)

Diffusion of ResponsibilityDiffusion of Responsibility

• As group size increases, the less likely or more As group size increases, the less likely or more slowly any one bystander will provide assistance.slowly any one bystander will provide assistance.

• Epileptic Seizure Study (Darley and Latane, 1969)Epileptic Seizure Study (Darley and Latane, 1969)

Our Hypothesis!!!Our Hypothesis!!!

• Low chivalry more Low chivalry more influenced by group influenced by group sizesize

• High chivalry more High chivalry more resistant to outside resistant to outside pressurepressure

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

1 2 4

Group Size

Tim

e (m

in)

High Chivalry Low Chivalry

Step 1: Subject VariableStep 1: Subject Variable

• Sample Items:Sample Items:Chivalry Scale Chivalry Scale ((αα = .86) = .86)- A man has an obligation to protect a woman - A man has an obligation to protect a woman

who is in danger (Altermatt, 2001).who is in danger (Altermatt, 2001).

Attitude toward Women ScaleAttitude toward Women Scale ( (αα = .77) = .77) - Women should worry less about their rights - Women should worry less about their rights

and more about becoming good wives and and more about becoming good wives and mothers (Spence, Helmreich, & Stapp, 1974).mothers (Spence, Helmreich, & Stapp, 1974).

Step 2: Manipulate Group Size Step 2: Manipulate Group Size • Cover Story – Sign up Sheets and BackpacksCover Story – Sign up Sheets and Backpacks

Step 3: Measure HelpingStep 3: Measure Helping

• Participant (N = 30 Participant (N = 30 males) taken to room to males) taken to room to complete questionnaire.complete questionnaire.

• Recording of the Recording of the accident is played accident is played (timing begins).(timing begins).

• 3 minute window3 minute window

ResultsResults

ββ pp

Group (G)Group (G) .37.37 .05.05

Chiv (C)Chiv (C) -.35-.35 .046.046

C x GC x G .04.04 .81.810

1

2

3

1 2 4

Group Size

Rea

ctio

n Ti

me

(min

.)

High Chivalry

Low Chivalry

InterpretationsInterpretations - Alone: situational pressure = - Alone: situational pressure =

helphelp - -

3 others: situational pressure = 3 others: situational pressure = don’t helpdon’t help

- 1 other: - 1 other: situation ambiguous = personality situation ambiguous = personality factors become more influentialfactors become more influential

- Greatest chivalry effect - Greatest chivalry effect (difference = 1.823 minutes)(difference = 1.823 minutes)

Future ResearchFuture Research

• Self-esteem research (chivalry contingency)Self-esteem research (chivalry contingency)

• Agentic versus Virtuous womenAgentic versus Virtuous women

• Chivalry in women?Chivalry in women?

• More than 3 minute window for helpingMore than 3 minute window for helping

Questions?Questions?

Sound FileSound File

• Sound played to participants over intercomSound played to participants over intercom