Would you help?

In 1973, John Darley ran an interesting study. His main goal was to understand if religion has any effect on “helping behavior.” The results uncovered the fundamental reasons we choose to act.

The study went like this:

Forty students were divided into two groups.

The first group was given a sermon to memorize on the importance of being a Good Samaritan (helping others etc). They were told that soon after reading it, they would need to present the speech at another building across campus.

The second group was given a talk on job opportunities and the same instructions. They too would need to walk across campus and present their speech in another building.

There were two twists:

Subjects were given different times that they had to deliver the sermon so that some would be in a hurry and others not.

On the way to the building, everyone would pass the same stranger slumped in an alleyway, who looked to be in need of help.

Q: Which group would be more likely to help the person in need?

A: It wasn’t the Good Samaritan group. In fact, neither group stopped more often than the other to help.

It turns out, the only factor that made a difference was how much of a hurry the students were in. 

When we feel rushed, we are less likely to notice what’s going on around us. When it comes to living by our moral code, that can also fall by the wayside.

How many times have you walked the same city block or taken the same route to work? When was the last time you really noticed what was going on right in front of you?

Science is now gleaning more about human potential than ever before.

Top performers notice the subtle factors in their environment, which leads them to faster and more creative solutions. It’s not their IQ or EQ (though those help), but instead their ability to perceive the situation that truly sets them apart.

Are you preparing a Good Samaritan speech in your head, but ironically ignoring those who need help right in front of you?