Philosophers and religious authorities have often argued that people should help others in need. How is this statement reflected in the approach taken by most psychological researchers studying helping?
A) Psychologists usually take a descriptive approach rather than a values-question approach and focus on the study of helping behavior.
B) Psychologists agree with the value of helping, study it, and recommend it in their research reports.
C) Psychologists usually consider helping behavior in terms of whether it is right for people to help others in a situation.
D) Psychologists agree with a values approach, in that helping is always good, and conduct surveys to quantify instances of helping.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Psychological researchers studying helping typically take a descriptive approach, focusing on studying the behavior itself rather than questioning the values behind it. While they may acknowledge the belief that people should help others in need, their research typically focuses on understanding the factors that influence whether and how people actually do help in different situations, rather than passing judgment on the moral value of helping itself.

Philosophers and Religious Authorities Have Often Argued That People Should