The Street Corner: A Laboratory for the Study of Life-Threatening Behavior

Abstract

An expanded spectrum of research strategy is needed for the study of dying, death, and lethal behavior. Reported here is a small study that combines two of the approaches recommended: Naturalistic observation, and the exploration of possible relationships between predisposing factors and actual behavior. A street corner in Detroit, Michigan was selected as the research setting or natural laboratory. Types of street-crossing behavior were categorized into five groups, ranging from most to least risk-taking. Pedestrians were classified into the appropriate groups, depending upon their observed behavior, and asked to participate in a brief on-the-spot interview. The results clearly demonstrate empirical relationships between phenomenological, life history, and socio-demographic variables and type of pedestrian behavior.