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Local versus Global Perceptual Scope, Empathic Concern, and Helping Preferences in Multiple-Victim Situations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2017

Luis Oceja ,
Eric Stocks ,
Tamara Ambrona ,
Belén López-Pérez  and
Pilar Carrera
Luis Oceja*
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)
Eric Stocks
Affiliation:
University of Texas at Tyler (USA)
Tamara Ambrona
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)
Belén López-Pérez
Affiliation:
Liverpool Hope University (UK)
Pilar Carrera
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)
*
*Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Luis Oceja. Departamento de Psicología Social y Metodología. C/ Pavlov, 6. Ciudad Universitaria Cantoblanco. 28049. Madrid (Spain). E-mail: luis.oceja@uam.es
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Abstract

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 (ηp2 = .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.

Keywords

empathic concernhelping preferencesone-among-others effectperceptual scope
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 20 , 2017 , E25
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2017 

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