Using level of social support as a predictor of assistance acceptance

The present experiment examined in an experimental setting whether or not manipulating the availability of assistance could alter the assistance requested by subjects high or low in perceived social support (p.s.s). Forty-five introductory psychology students completed an in-class questionnaire which measured perceived social support (P.S.S), and which was used to separate subjects into high and low P.S.S. groups. Subjects also attended a second experimental session which measured amount of assistance requested by subjects, when help was easy or hard to get. The results show no significant interaction of P.S.S level x assistance availability, raising the possibility that when subjects in both P.S.S. conditions recognized there was help available, they behaved the same. There are differences in the satisfaction subjects expressed with the experiment and the amount of help subjects thought they had received based upon P.S.S. level which is in partial agreement with earlier studies. a examination of possible future research in experimental settings is explored.