Table 1.

Scoring of example scenario from the ‘Social Expectations’ task

Description of criteria

Person-based rationales

A response that either referred to the characters’ needs, and/or conveyed a sense of self-sacrifice on the participants’ part in order to meet the characters’ needs

Rule-based rationales

A response that made explicit reference to a social rule guiding an expectation to help, or implied a social rule by simply referring to the facts of the scenario

Example responses:

Clear - cut ending: “She is elderly and walking with a stick”

Person-based rationale examples

e.g. “I would feel sorry for her and it would be difficult for her to stand in a crowded waiting room”

e.g. “She needs it more than I do”

Rule-based rationale examples

e.g. “You should always offer your seat to women, elderly and the disabled”

e.g. “She is walking with a stick”

Ambiguous ending: “She is a young adult and is carrying a large parcel”

Person-based rationale examples

e.g. “She must be feeling very tired”

e.g. “I think she needs it more than I do because she is carrying a large parcel”

Rule-based rationale examples

e.g. “To be polite”

e.g. “It is common courtesy to offer your seat”