This Article Full Text (OnlineFirst[PDF]) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Google Scholar Articles by van Rompay, T. J. L. Articles by Fransen, M. L. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Eye of the Camera: Effects of Security Cameras on Prosocial Behavior

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: T.J.L.vanRompay{at}utwente.nl.

	Abstract

This study addresses the effects of security cameras on prosocial behavior. Results from previous studies indicate that the presence of others can trigger helping behavior, arising from the need for approval of others. Extending these findings, the authors propose that security cameras can likewise trigger such approval-seeking behaviors by implying the presence of a watchful eye. Because people vary in the extent to which they strive for others’ approval, it was expected that the effects of security cameras on prosocial behavior vary with participants’ need for approval. To test these predictions, an experimental study was conducted with "presence of security camera" and "need for approval" as independent variables. Results showed that participants indeed offered more help in the presence of a security camera but only to the extent that this helping involved public or observable behavior. As expected, this effect was more pronounced for individuals high in need for approval. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?