To Help or Not to Help? Factors that Determined Helping Responses to Katrina Victims

Abstract

Major research findings regarding individual helping behavior are reviewed and analyzed in light of the events during and after Hurricane Katrina. Implications from traditional and contemporary theories of psychology are examined. The discussion addresses both intrapersonal and contextual (psychosocial and situational) factors related to individual helping behavior in the context of real world events around the hurricane. In addition, the article contains implications for public policy and suggestions for policy makers.