A practical test of the link between perceived identifiability and prosociality with two field studies.

ABSTRACT: Covering the face with masks in public settings has been recommended since the start of the pandemic. Because faces provide information about identity, and that face masks hide a portion of the face, it is plausible to expect individuals who wear a mask to consider themselves less identifiable. Prior research suggests that perceived identifiability is positively related to prosocial behavior, and with two pre-registered field studies (total N = 5706) we provide a currently relevant and practical test of this relation. Our findings indicate that mask wearers and non-wearers display equivalent levels of helping behavior (Studies 1 and 2), although mask wearers have a lower level of perceived identifiability than those without a mask (Study 2). Overall, our findings suggest that claims that f

SUBMITTER: Seetahul Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9339540 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature