Key Variables Influencing Helping Behavior: Enhancers and Barriers
The three articles on helping behavior, From Jerusalem to Jericho, High Cost Helping Scenario, and Racial Differences in Helping Behaviors, have highlighted a variety of variables that can influence the likelihood of someone receiving help in a time of need. The main variables that can enhance or reduce a person’s chance of getting help when needed include the gender, race, and social class of the person asking for help (Singh & Winkel, 2012). It’s also important to consider the circumstances surrounding the request for assistance, the connection between the parties involved, the window of opportunity for assistance, and the existence of other parties.
Different variables can significantly impact the likelihood of a person receiving help in need. For instance, people are more likely to get help from others who share similar characteristics, such as gender and race, and if there is a pre-existing relationship between the two people (Paciello et al., 2013). Furthermore, research has also suggested that individuals are more likely to receive support if the situation is urgent and time is of the essence (Darley & Batson, 1973).
Ethical Considerations in Research on Helping Behavior
Using research to test these variables and their effect on helping raises several ethical concerns. These include issues of consent, autonomy, privacy, and data security. Additionally, researchers must ensure that their research methods respect the participants and their rights and that their data collection and analysis are conducted ethically (Darley & Batson, 1973). Furthermore, research studies should be designed to minimize potential harm to participants, and results should be reported transparently to benefit society.
Strategies for Increasing Your Chances of Receiving Help
To enhance the chances of getting help, the most important aspect is to be polite and respectful. For example, I would not demand something from a person or pressure them into helping me, but be gentle and reasonable, allowing them to choose to help me. Additionally, I would make sure the other person is aware of the situation’s urgency and explain why someone needs help (Singh & Winkel, 2012). Moreover, ensuring the other person knows how much time they have to help and feels comfortable with the situation is advantageous. Finally, it is beneficial to ensure that the other person knows that person is grateful for any help that they can provide.
References
Darley, J. M., & Batson, C. D. (1973). “From Jerusalem to Jericho”: A study of situational and dispositional variables in helping behavior. Journal of personality and social psychology, 27(1), 100. Web.
Paciello, M., Fida, R., Cerniglia, L., Tramontano, C., & Cole, E. (2013). High cost helping scenario: The role of empathy, prosocial reasoning and moral disengagement on helping behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 55(1), 3-7. Web.
Singh, B., & Winkel, D. E. (2012). Racial differences in helping behaviors: The role of respect, safety, and identification. Journal of Business Ethics, 106, 467-477. Web.