The text opens the research methods chapter by recounting Kitty Genovese's rape and murder, in which not a single neighbor came to her aid. Describe how each step of the scientific method might be applied to better understand such a phenomenon.

What will be an ideal response?


The answer should include all four steps of the scientific method:

1. Identifying a question of interest: How could it be that absolutely no one in a crowded city would help a woman being raped and killed?

That's disturbing; let's use the scientific method to find an answer.

2. Formulating an explanation: Psychologists Latané and Darley developed an explanation, or theory, based on the notion of diffusion of responsibility. The more bystanders there are, the more the responsibility for helping is perceived to be spread among them. Thus, the more bystanders, the smaller the share of responsibility felt by any one bystander, and the less likely he or she is to help.

3. Carrying out research: The answer should describe an experimental scenario in which the number of bystanders to a staged emergency is varied and the helping behavior of the participant is measured.

4. Sharing the findings: The results of the experiment should be published as a journal article or presented at a conference.

Psychology

You might also like to view...

Endocrine glands secrete __________ that regulate various bodily functions

a. hormones c. neurotransmitters b. endorphins d. saliva

Psychology

The sociocultural perspective focuses on:

A. how an individual's view of himself or herself and the world influences behavior. B. societal and cultural factors that influence behavior. C. the role of the environment in behavior. D. the study of what we can observe.

Psychology

The study of how biological processes, the brain, and the nervous system are related to behavior is called

a. neuroinduction. b. biopsychology. c. physiological behaviorism. d. ablation.

Psychology

One of the more unique reactions of adolescents who experience the death of a sibling involves the

a. great disruption it has on their overall normative development b. fact that it tends to increase the negative feelings they have toward their deceased sibling. c. lack of emotional trauma. d. reluctance to discuss their grief.

Psychology