Effects of Gender and Dress on Helping Behavior

Abstract

The effects of gender and dress on helping behavior were examined. Perceptions and feelings influencing decisions to help were also investigated in an exploratory manner. 128 subjects were asked by a male or female confederate for 37¢ and afterwards completed a questionnaire. The confederates were either well-dressed or sloppily dressed. Analysis indicated that the woman was helped more than the man but that well-dressed and sloppily dressed confederates were helped equally. Subjects who helped generally perceived confederates to be needier than subjects who did not. Further, subjects who did not help reported greater discomfort from the helping request than subjects who helped.