Participants in an Experiment by Miho Toi and Daniel Batson

Multiple Choice

Participants in an experiment by Miho Toi and Daniel Batson (1982) listened to an (alleged) radio interview in which a student in their Introductory Psychology class described an accident that caused her to fall behind in the course.Think for a moment about the method and results of their study.Now assume that you need help from someone,and you have reason to doubt that the other person will be able to empathize with your situation.What should you say to that person to increase the odds that he or she will come to your aid?

A) "You've always come through in the past for me."
B) "If I don't see you tonight, I'll see you tomorrow and Wednesday."
C) "If you say 'no,' don't ask me for any future favours."
D) "If you help me out, I'll buy you lunch."
E) "If you help me tonight, I'll return the favour next week."