Piliavin's subway study

• Bystander behaviour

  • Idea that the presence of others reduces the likelihood of help being offered in an emergency
• Prosocial behaviour

  • Actions that are beneficial to other people and that helps society
• Aim of Piliavin's subway study (1969) 


  • To see whether the appearance of a victim impacts whether they receive help or not
• Method of Piliavin's subway study (1969)

  • Victim (confederate) fell over on a subway in NYC.
  • Participants were people on the subway
  • They were observed to see whether the victim was helped or not
• Results of Piliavin's subway study (1969)

  • When the victim appeared disabled - helped 95% of the time
  • When the victim appeared drunk - helped 50% of the time
  • People offered help quicker to disabled rather than drunk
• Conclusion of Piliavin's subway study (1969)

  • Appearance of a victim influences whether they receive help or not
• Evaluation of Piliavin's study (1)

  • Strength
  • The study took place in a natural environment
  • Participant's behaviour would have been close to real life
  • No demand characteristics
• Evaluation of Piliavin's study (2)

  • Weakness
  • Study took place a long time ago (1969)
  • We can't be certain we would get the same results if the study was replicated
  • Temporal validity
• Evaluation of Piliavin's study (3)

  • Weakness
  • Ptps were unaware they were being observed
  • They could not give their consent to take part
  • Researchers broke ethical guidelines