Citation

Forbes GB, TeVault RK, Gromoll HF. Soc. Sci. Res. 1972; 1(4): 415-419.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1972, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0049-089X(72)90086-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Keys, tagged with the owner's name and address, were "lost" in four major cities. The greatest frequency of keys returned came from the Midwest and the lowest frequency of returns came from the Far West. Keys returned from the East coast or the Midwest were more likely to contain a personal letter than were keys returned from the West or West Coast. Results were consistent with the stereotype of the Midwesterner as more friendly and helpful toward strangers than people from other regions. Results also indicated that the "lost-key" technique provides both a qualitative and quantitative measure of helpfulness.