Skip to main content
A-LevelPsychologySocial approach9990/12 · Feb/Mar 2021 · Q26 Marks

In the study by Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans), one observer watched passengers in the critical area.

  1. (a)Name two variables this observer recorded about these passengers.[2]
  2. (b)(i)Outline what is meant by 'diffusion of responsibility'.[2]
  3. (b)(ii)Outline one finding that did not support diffusion of responsibility in this study.[2]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. [2] (a) 1 mark per correct point made
  2. (a) Race;
  3. (a) Sex;
  4. (a) Location;
  5. (a) Number of individuals;
  6. (a) Number who came to help.
  7. [2] (b)(i) 2 marks detailed definition
  8. (b)(i) 1 mark brief definition
  9. (b)(i) People are less likely to help in an emergency when there are more people around as they believe other people will help out instead (2 marks);
  10. (b)(i) When there are more people around we help less (1 mark);
  11. (b)(i) Responsibility is shared amongst the group/people (1 mark);
  12. (b)(i) There are other creditworthy responses.
  13. [2] (b)(ii) 2 marks detailed answer including evidence from the study
  14. (b)(ii) 1 mark brief answer or no evidence from the study
  15. (b)(ii) The seven person groups responded faster than the three person groups;
  16. (b)(ii) The seven person groups were faster to respond than the hypothetical seven person groups;
  17. (b)(ii) The majority of participants helped the victim before the model had a chance to step in and help first;
  18. (b)(ii) 60% of trials had more than one person helping the victim.
  19. (b)(ii) Larger groups responded faster (than smaller groups);
  20. (b)(ii) Three people groups responded slower;
  21. (b)(ii) Most people helped before the model;
  22. (b)(ii) More than one person helped most of the time.

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Social approach, A-Level Psychology (syllabus 9990). Structured question, 6 marks.
Source
A-Level Psychology, Feb/Mar 2021 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 2.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Psychology questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep