Answering the Call for Prosocial Behavior

• Published in: The Journal of social psychology Vol. 138; no. 5; pp. 564 - 571
• Main Authors: Christensen, Colleen, Fierst, Deborah, Jodocy, April, Lorenz, Dennis N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Taylor & Francis Group 01.10.1998; Heldref; Clark University Press; Taylor & Francis Inc
• Subjects: Answering machines; Behavior; Behavior. Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Feedback (Response); Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Helping Relationship; Investigations; Messages; Numbers; Prosocial Behavior; Prosocial behaviour; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Research Design; Social psychology; Strangers; Telephone answering devices; Telephone directories; USA; Human; Helping behavior; Telephone; Prosocial behavior; Quality; Verbal communication
• ISSN: 0022-4545; 1940-1183
• DOI: 10.1080/00224549809600411

Prosocial behavior toward strangers was investigated via responses to wrong-number messages on telephone answering machines. Two hundred forty anonymous participants were randomly selected from the telephone directory of a midsized, midwestern community. Each participant received a message that was intended for someone else. The importance and urgency of the message were varied-low, medium, high, and high with a prod (a direct request for help). Overall, the findings revealed a higher than anticipated prosocial response. The number of return calls increased as a function of the urgency and importance of the misdirected message.