The identifiable victim effect: a meta-analytic review. (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Seyoung; Feeley, Thomas Hugh
• Is Part Of: Social influence. Volume 11:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 199
• Page End: 215
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Identifiable victim effect -- willingness to contribute -- helping -- meta-analysis; Social influence -- Periodicals; 302.13
• DOI: 10.1080/15534510.2016.1216891
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1553-4510

Abstract

Abstract: The identifiable victim effect (IVE) refers to individuals' tendency to offer greater help to specific, identifiable victims than to anonymous, statistical victims. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to determine the overall weighted effect of IVE. Overall, 41 studies were included. Results indicated an overall significant yet modest IVE ( r = .05). In addition, findings showed that IVE appears reliable mainly when there is a single identified or a single unidentified victim, and/or when study characteristics include elements of the following: a photographed child suffering from poverty, bearing little responsibility for the need, and/or associated with monetary requests. The implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.