AQA GCSE · Question 02 · Social Context and Behaviour
The 'cost of helping' affects bystander intervention.
Use an example to describe how the 'cost of helping' could affect bystander intervention.
How to approach this question
First, recall what 'cost of helping' means in the context of bystander intervention. Then, think of a realistic scenario where someone needs help. Finally, describe a specific 'cost' (e.g., time, danger, effort, embarrassment) and explain how that cost would make someone less likely to help.
Full Answer
An example would be seeing someone collapse in the street. A high 'cost of helping' might be getting your clothes dirty or being late for an important meeting. This high cost could make a bystander less likely to intervene and help the person.
The 'cost of helping' is a key factor in Piliavin's Subway Study and the broader concept of bystander intervention. It refers to the potential negative consequences for the individual who chooses to help. These costs can be varied, including physical danger, embarrassment, effort, or financial cost. If the perceived cost of helping is high, a bystander is less likely to intervene, even if they feel empathy for the victim.
Common mistakes
A common mistake is just defining 'cost of helping' without giving a specific, concrete example. The question explicitly asks for an example.
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