A group of social psychologists is interested in examining how the presence of

bystanders affects helping behavior. Research participants are placed in one of two groups. In

the first group, the research participants are placed in a room alone with an individual who has a

fainting spell. In the second group, research participants are placed in a room with three other

individuals; one of these individuals has a fainting spell. The researchers will observe to see if

the research participants go to the aid of the person who has just fainted. The person who faints

and the bystanders in group 2 are actors who have been hired by the researchers.