A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What controlled variable relates to the behavior of models in the Piliavin et al study?

1. The attire of confederates

2. The location of victims

3. The race of helpers

4. The time of journey

The correct answer is: The attire of confederates

The controlled variable that relates to the behavior of models in the Piliavin et al. study is indeed the attire of confederates. In this study, the researchers wanted to investigate how different factors influenced whether bystanders would help someone in distress. By standardizing the attire of confederates, the researchers ensured that any variations in helping behavior could be attributed to other manipulated variables, like the type of emergency (drunk versus ill), rather than differences in appearance or clothing style. This aspect is crucial because attire could evoke different responses from bystanders based on social norms or expectations. By controlling for clothing, the study maintained consistency across trials, allowing for a clearer interpretation of the results regarding the influence of situational factors on helping behavior. The other factors, such as the location of victims or the time of journey, are vital to the context of the study, but they do not specifically relate to the standardization of the confederates’ roles. The race of helpers might impact dynamics in the study, but it is not a controlled variable in the same way that attire is, as the research did not systematically manipulate or standardize race amongst the confederates.