The Good Samartin (1973)

In Luke 10:30-37 Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan. In 1973 John Darley and Daniel Batson at Princeton Theological Seminary put students to the test in a fascinating recreation of Jesus’ parable.

Darley and Batson Asked two questions. 1. Would seminary students on their way to deliver a message on Luke 10:30-37 offer assistance to a person in distress they passed along the way? 2. What would happen if the students were told they had to hurry because they were running late?

Darley and Batson divided students preparing for the ministry into two groups. One group was told to prepare a sermon on the Good Samaritan. The second group prepared a presentation about seminary jobs.

When each student arrived at the appointed place to deliver the sermon or presentation, they were told that the location had been changed at the last minute.

One-third of the students were told they were late and put under high pressure to hurry.

One-third of the subjects were put under moderate pressure to hurry, and one-third were told that they were not in a hurry.

In an alley along the way to the new location, the students encountered a man who was slumped over, coughing, and groaning in obvious distress. The researchers recorded whether or not the students stopped to offer assistance.

What do you think happened? Do you think some, most, or all of the students stopped to help? Surely students preparing for the ministry would recognize the situation and behave accordingly. Do you think the students rehearsing a sermon on the Good Samaritan would be more likely to offer aid, or does helping behavior depend on not being in a hurry?

What do you think?