Effects of Sex of Caller, Implied Sexual Orientation of Caller, and Urgency on Altruistic Response Using the Wrong Number Technique

Abstract

This study using the wrong number technique focussed on the effects of sex of caller, sexual orientation of caller, and urgency on the altruistic response of making a call. In a 2 (sex) x 2 (heterosexual or homosexual) x 2 ("last quarter" or "no more change") factorial design the dependent variable was the number of seconds taken for a return telephone call. A woman or man asking for a boyfriend or girlfriend were helped faster than homosexual ones. Further research exploring the ways people of different sexual orientations are responded to is recommended.

Helping Behavior as a Subtle Measure of Discrimination Against Lesbians and Gay Men: German Data and a Comparison Across Countries1

“…Shaw et al (1994) d cf. Gore et al (1997); there were no female callers in this study; LOR=natural log of odds ratios.…”

“…In the British study (Ellis & Fox, 2001), the mobile battery was running out; in the German and Swiss study (Gabriel et al, 2001), the telephone card was nearly empty; and in the first U.S. study (Shaw et al, 1994), the caller had used his or her last quarter. In the second U.S. study (Gore et al, 1997) the reason was a further independent variable; namely, an urgency manipulation: The caller had no more change, or was down to the last quarter. As this manipulation had no significant influence on helping behavior (Gore et al, 1997), the two conditions were combined in our analysis.…”

“…Second, to identify the relationship as romantic, the two U.S. studies (Gore et al, 1997; Shaw et al, 1994) used the word boyfriend or girlfriend ; Ellis and Fox (2001) used the word partner ; Gabriel et al (2001) used the word Schatz (translation is darling , sweetheart ); and the present German study used the word Lebensgefährte or Lebensgefährtin (translation is romantic partner ). In the studies of Shaw et al and Ellis and Fox, the caller also mentioned that the couple was having a relationship anniversary that day.…”

“…Among these four studies (Ellis & Fox, 2001; Gabriel et al, 2001; Gore, Tobiasen, & Kayson, 1997; Shaw, Borough, & Fink, 1994), conducted in three different countries (Great Britain, Switzerland, United States), applied the wrong‐number technique. In this experimental paradigm, households receive apparently wrong‐number telephone calls that develop into requests for delivering a message to the actual addressee of the call (Gaertner & Bickman, 1971).…”

“…In all, only eight studies were identified that fulfilled our requirements. 4 Among these four studies (Ellis & Fox, 2001;Gabriel et al, 2001;Gore, Tobiasen, & Kayson, 1997;Shaw, Borough, & Fink, 1994), conducted in 4 Seven further published studies used the lost-letter technique (Milgram, Milgram, & Harter, 1965), employing addressees of (fictitious) groups or organizations related to gay and lesbian topics (Bridges, 1996;Bridges, Anzalone, Ryan, & Anzalone, 2002;Bridges & Rodriguez, 2000;Bridges, Williamson, & Jarvis, 2001;Levinson, Pesina, & Rienzi, 1993;Waugh, Plake, & Rienzi, 2000). These studies were not included in our analysis because they studied community opinions about specific political issues (e.g., gay marriage, gay and lesbian teachers), rather than attitudes toward gay men and lesbians.…”