Recall that participants in an experiment described in the text (Toi & Batson, 1982) listened to an (alleged) radio interview in which a student in their introductory psychology class described an accident that caused her to fall behind in the course. Some participants were told that Carol would soon be returning to their class. According to the research, why is this referred to as a "high cost" condition?
A) Carol was still in a wheelchair, and it would be hard for her to get to class.
B) Every time participants saw her, they would feel guilty if they didn't help her.
C) Participants would have to go out of their way to copy their notes for Carol.
D) Every time participants saw her, they would be able to empathize with her.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The "high cost" condition refers to the psychological cost to the participants of feeling guilty every time they saw Carol if they chose not to help her. This guilt would be a direct consequence of their inaction, making it a high cost to their emotional well-being.

Recall That Participants in an Experiment Described in the Text