How a helping decision unfolds
Use a simple teaching model to consider what can influence responding to someone who needs help.
The picture in words
- Notice
- Attend to what is happening.
- Interpret
- Consider whether help is needed.
- Respond
- Identify a safe and appropriate way to help.
Reading the illustration
The three questions are an organizing teaching model. Research on helping also examines situational influences, including diffusion of responsibility.
Try a question
How could having other people nearby affect an interpretation of an ambiguous event?
Show the explanation
People may look to others for cues or experience a reduced sense of personal responsibility. Context helps explain a helping decision.
Read the sources
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/12-6-aggressionSelected rendered passages: Bystander/diffusion passages.
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/12-4-conformity-compliance-and-obedienceSelected rendered passages: Compliance/normative/informational influence passages.