Local versus global perceptual scope, empathic concern, and helping preferences in multiple-victim situations

• Luis Oceja ^[1] ; Eric Stocks ^[2] ; Tamara Ambrona ^[1] ; Belén López-Pérez ^[3] ; Pilar Carrera ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

     Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

     Madrid, España

     
  2. [2] University of Texas at Tyler

     University of Texas at Tyler

     Estados Unidos

     
  3. [3] Liverpool Hope University

     Liverpool Hope University

     Reino Unido

     

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• Localización: The Spanish Journal of Psychology, ISSN 1138-7416, Vol. 20, 2017, 10 págs.
• Idioma: inglés
• DOI: 10.1017/sjp.2017.25
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• Resumen

  • Previous research on the one-among-others effect has shown that inducing empathic concern towards a victim presented alongside with a small number of other victims enhances (a) the perception of this set of victims as separate and different individuals (instead of as a group), and (b) the preference to help them individually (rather than collectively). We propose that inducing a local (vs. global) perceptual scope increases (vs. lessens) these two outcomes. In this work, participants first reported their perception of an ad that showed a victim depicted as one-among-others and, afterwards, were unexpectedly asked to indicate their preference for giving the victims either “individualized”, “collective”, or “equal” assistance. In Experiment 1 (N = 48), we manipulated the participants’ local (vs. global) perceptual scope and allowed empathy concern to occur naturally. In Experiment 2 (N = 213), we manipulated both the perceptual scope and empathy concern. Overall, results showed that the combined presence of local scope and empathic concern increased the awareness of others (η p 2 = .203 and .047, 95% CI = [0.05, 0.35] and [0.03, 0.13], ps < .03) and the preference for individualized assistance (zs = 2.08 and 2.74, ps < .02). Lastly, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of perceiving a set of victims as individuals (rather than as a group) in need.

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