Miller et al

Miller et al.

Miller et al. (1990)

Cultural norms and moral values influence the perception of social responsibility

• The researchers interviewed 400 individuals (adults and children) on what to do in hypothetical situations where a person had failed to help someone in need. The situations involved parents’ obligation to help their child, friends’ obligation to help a friend, and people’s obligation to help a stranger. The situations were either life threatening, moderately serious, or a minor threat. The participants in this cross-cultural study were North Americans and Hindu Indians.

• Hindu Indians tended to see it as a moral duty to help in all situations. Their view of social responsibility was broader and more duty based compared to the American participants.

• North American participants tended to view social responsibility and helping as personal choice. This was particularly true if the danger was moderate or minor, or if the person was a friend or stranger. Adults in the USA were also more likely to say that liking the person in need affected their moral responsibility to help the person.