The Effects of Actual and Attempted Theft, Need, and a Previous Favor on Altruism

Abstract

Summary The effects of several variables upon the likelihood of giving money to a confederate (C) were studied in two field experiments using male Ss and Cs. One hundred Ss in a restaurant (Experiment 1) and 70 Ss in a library (Experiment 2) were asked to watch someone's radio, which a C later attempted to steal. In the first study, failing to prevent a theft and being asked for money to buy high-nutrition, high-need food increased altruism. In the second study, doing a small favor for someone increased the amount of money given to him but not to others. Both studies showed a nonsignificant tendency for Ss who had performed a large favor (stopping a thief) to be less generous to the same person if he subsequently requested another favor.