In one well-known study on empathy, participants had to watch a confederate receive electric shocks. The researchers manipulated how difficult it was to escape from watching these electric shocks. Some participants were told that they had to watch 10 full trials of shocks, while others were told that they could leave after watching the first two trials. This manipulation was done to test for ____.
A)audience inhibition
B)egoistic motives for helping
C)diffusion of responsibility
D)belief in a just world

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This manipulation was done to test for egoistic motives for helping, as it aimed to see if participants would choose to escape the discomfort of watching someone else suffer (an egoistic motive) or stay and empathize with the confederate's pain.

In One Well-Known Study on Empathy, Participants Had to Watch