EFFECTS OF GENDER AND DRESS ON HELPING-BEHAVIOR

The effects of gender and dress on helping behavior were examined. Per ceptions and feelings influencing decisions to help were also investig ated in an exploratory manner. 128 subjects were asked by a male or fe male confederate for 37 cent and afterwards completed a questionnaire. The confederates were either well-dressed or sloppily dressed. Analys is indicated that the woman was helped more than the man but that well -dressed and sloppily dressed confederates were helped equally. Subjec ts who helped generally perceived confederates to be needler than subj ects who did not. Further, subjects who did not help reported greater discomfort from the helping request than subjects who helped.