Step 1. Is something wrong

Context also plays a role here. A significant amount of research has shown, for example, that people are more helpful in rural than urban settings (Steblay, 1987), and this difference may be owing partly to context (Schroeder et al., 1995). The stimulus overload of the city might lead to people not noticing a need to intervene. Indeed, in active and noisy 

Matthews and Canon (1975) tested the stimulus overload theory directly in a real-world field study. On several trials, a research accomplice wearing a wrist-to-shoulder cast, dropped several boxes of books a few feet in front of a potential helper. Researchers observed systematically whether the potential helper intervened. Environmental stimulation was manipulated by running a power lawn mower nearby on half of the trials. In the noisy condition, only 15 percent of the potential helpers showed actively caring behavior however, without the excessive noise, 80 percent of the subjects stopped to help pick up the dropped boxes. 

What is going on here It is possible the loud noise may have had a negative effect on the mood of the potential helpers. In fact, mood state may be a critical factor in stimulus overload studies. Environmental stressors like noise, pollution, and crowding usually have a negative impact on mood states (Bell et al., 1990), with depressed moods leading to self-centeredness and lower awareness of another person s needs. 

If stimulus overload can affect people s attention to an emergency, it can certainly reduce attention to common everyday situations that are not very obtrusive, but nevertheless require actively caring behavior. Consider, for example, the various needs for proactive behavior that can prevent an injury. Environmental hazards are easy to overlook, especially in a busy and noisy workplace requiring focused attention on a demanding task. Even less noticeable and attention-getting are the ongoing safe and at-risk behaviors of people around us. Yet, these behaviors need proactive support or correction as in the safety coaching approach described in Chapter 12. 

even if the need for proactive intervention is noticed, actively caring behavior will not necessarily occur. The observer must interpret the situation as requiring intervention. Which leads us to the next question that must be answered before deciding to intervene. 

---