Effects of imagined pro-social actions on subsequent helping: imaginary numbers count

Abstract

When does imagination shape reality? We know that the presence of others subsequently results in less helping because of diffusion of responsibility, but what effect does the imagined social context have on translating imagined helping into actual actions? People help less in actual situations, for instance, when others are present than when they are alone, but are they also less likely to help in actual situations when they have recently imagined helping with others than helping by themselves? Two studies addressed this question. Compared to those who imagined helping by themselves, participants who imagined helping with others subsequently were actually less likely to help (Study 1), whether the others were friends or strangers (Study 2).