THE VICTIMS: 3 WHITE, 1 BLACK, AGED BETWEEN 26 AND 35 AND EITHER HAD A CANE OR A LIQUOR BOTTLE
4 years ago, Kitty Genovese was murdered by three stabbings over the span of 30 minutes. Of 38 witnesses who heard her plea for help, no one called 911 until 20 minutes after she had died. The main idea behind the lack of help was diffusion of responsibility. The larger the group who witnessed the attack, the less likely bystanders were going to give help. Piliavin, his wife and his friend chose to study this in the New York subway - 8th Avenue Line - a 7 minute journey.
4,500 men and women who used the NY subway on the weekdays between 11-3 PM were studied on 6-8 trials on a given day. 4 victims would fall on the subway and they were either carrying a liquor bottle or a cane, two female observers were present, in the critical or adjacent area, taking notes of everyone in the carriage and whoever helped. There was also a model, who would stand in either of the two areas or respond late or early.
The cane victim received spontaneous help 95% of the time. 100% of the time they were helped (within 5 seconds). 60% of the trails when help was given it was 2 or more people. 90% of first helpers were male.
An individual who appears ill is more likely to receive help than one who appears drunk.In a mixed group of men and women, men were more likely to help a male victim.People are more likely to help those of the same race.No strong relationship was found between the number of bystanders and speed of helping.Bystanders conduct a cost-reward analysis.Escape was not possible and bystanders were face-to-face with victim, therefore help was forthcoming.Spontaneous help was irrespective of race or victim type.
The drunk only received help 50% of the time. 81% of the time they were helped (but within 109 seconds). There was a slight tendency for same race helping especially in the drunk condition.
After the 7 minute journey, the team disembarked, waited for the passengers to leave the subway and then caught another in the opposite direction. There were more cane trials than drunk trials because a member of Team 2 violated the instructions because the victim "didn't like" playing drunk.