HELPING BEHAVIOR AS A FUNCTION OF INTERPERSONAL PERCEPTION.

This study investigated the frequency with which three subject populations (military, Negro, and "hippy") offered assistance to a stranded motorist (either a long haired mate, a short haired male, a Negro male, or a female). The results indicated that the military was the group most affected by the physical characteristics of the stranded motorist, while the Negro and "hippy" populations appeared to be more egalitarian in offering their assistance. It was suggested that perceived similarity affected the probability of the stranded motorist receiving aid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]