| Abstract: | A field experiment was conducted in Scotland, replicating as closely as possible the method and procedure of an experiment in the U.S.A. by Langer and Abelson (1972), to test the hypothesis that the form in which an appeal for help is made is dependent upon the legitimacy of the request. The data indicated that help was given at a substantially higher level in Scotland than in the U.S.A., but that the form of the interaction obtained was similar. Compliance to an illegitimate favour was higher when the request emphasised the responsibility of the helper while compliance to a legitimate favour was higher when the emphasis was placed upon the plight of the victim. |
