Two studies involving imagined emergencies were conducted with a dependent measure of intended helping. Manipulations included sex of bystander and victim, and visibility of victim. The hypothesis that greater visibility of victims would elicit greater intended helping was confirmed; however, the effect was attributable to male bystanders only. Discussion centered on “personalism” and sex-role factors as mediators of the level of intended helping. The validity of using imagined situations was also discussed.
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