Issues & Debates

• Application: training & education

  Educate students on the cognitive processes people go through in emergency -> more likely to help

  Understand cost-reward matrix -> recognise their own bias in intepreting heightened emotions -> override negative feelings to help victims instead of ignoring
• • Individual: Piliavin et al suggested people use a cost- reward matrix to determine whether to help. perceived cost is lower for males -> 90% of first helpers of any victim were males
  • Situational: every trial someone offered to help the ill victim -> the specific situation a person found themselves in was the main motivator behind their behaviour"
• Link to Assumption: Behaviour can be influenced by groups as others may feel less responsible in an emergency situation due to others being available to help