A-LevelPsychologySocial approach9990/12 · Feb/Mar 2020 · Q812 Marks

The study by Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans) is from the social approach.

(a)Outline two assumptions of the social approach, using any example for each. 1 2[4]
(b)Explain how one result from the study by Piliavin et al. supports the situational explanation of behaviour and how one result does not support diffusion of responsibility. Result that supports the situational explanation of behaviour: Explain how: Result that does not support diffusion of responsibility: Explain how:[8]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

One mark for appropriate assumption (×2)
One mark for any relevant example (x2)
e.g.
Behaviour/cognitions/emotions can be influenced by other individuals (1). For example, in Milgram the experimenter in the lab coat used prods to get them to continue to give electric shocks (1)
Behaviour/cognitions/emotions can be influenced by groups (1). For example, in emergency situations people may believe other people are giving/calling for help so just walk on by when they usually help (1).
Level
Criteria for each result
Marks
4
The result presented has a meaningful comparison and the candidate clearly explains why it supports/does not support the named concept
4
3
The result presented has a meaningful comparison and there is a brief attempt at explaining why it supports/does not support the named concept
3
The result presented has no meaningful comparison but the candidate clearly explains why it supports/does not support the named concept
2
The result presented has a meaningful comparison but there is no attempt at explanation;
The result presented is not clear but there is an implicit attempt at explaining why it supports/does not support the named concept
2
1
The result presented has no meaningful comparison or there is a basic attempt at explaining
1
0
No creditworthy answer
0
e.g. does not support diffusion
The median latency time for help when a group had 1-2 males in it (critical area) was around 300s whereas the median for groups of 7+ was around 80s (2). With diffusion of responsibility, the larger the group the less likely people will help. However, this clearly shows that larger groups responded faster giving help (more often) (2)
e.g. does support situational
Only around 3/4 of the time did a black drunk victim get help, compared to 100 per cent of white drunk victims (or any other condition) (2). Therefore, the situation participants found themselves in – someone needing help who was black and appeared drunk – stopped some people helping who may have helped in a different situation (2).