The Quality of Helpfulness: A Research Approach

Abstract

Sociometric rating scales assessing such dimensions as empathic sensitivity, open-mindedness, trustworthiness, and helpfulness were completed by 202 subjects in 16 peer groups. On the basis of these sociometric questionnaires, the 16 subjects rated as most helpful and least helpful (top and bottom four percent of the distribution) were selected for further study. These subjects completed additional questionnaires and participated in a small-group, structured exercise which allowed trained judges to assess the subjects' behavior on a number of variables. The results were (a) that those subjects seen as helpful and unhelpful by members of the long-term peer groups were similarly seen as helpful and unhelpful by relative strangers indicating the identifiability and stability of helpfulness as a personal characteristic and (b) there was strong agreement between sociometric ratings of personality dimensions and judge-rated behavioral assessments of the same dimensions indicating the validity of peer perceptions. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the training and selection of professional helpers and in terms of their methodological significance.