Surveillance Cameras and Helping Behaviors (7-08-08)

Closed circuit surveillance cameras may make the areas filmed more pleasant places to be. Recent research has shown that when people are aware that they are being filmed, they are more likely to help other people who need assistance doing straightforward tasks, such as picking up dropped items. Helping behavior is most likely to occur when people think that camera feeds are being monitored.

Thomas van Rompay, Dorette Vonk, and Marieke Fransen. 2008. “The Eye of the Camera: Effects of Security Cameras on Prosocial Behavior.” Environment and Behavior, in press.