A preliminary examination of cell phone use and helping behavior.
Use of a cell phone reduces attention and increases response times. 62 people (30 men, 32 women) were confronted with a confederate wearing a large leg brace, who dropped a stack of magazines and feigned difficulty retrieving them. Among the 33 people who talked on their cell phones only 9% offered their help, whereas among the 29 people who did not talk on their cell phones, 72% offered help. The use of cell phones affects helping behavior.
Curtis
C
Puryear
Stephen
S
Reysen
D000328:Adult; D040421:Cell Phone; D005260:Female; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects