The effects of environmental complexity and pleasantness on prosocial behaviour: A field study

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Abstract
Pedestrians in four different field settings (a complex, pleasant environment; a complex, unpleasant environment; a simple, pleasant environment; and a simple, unpleasant environment) were asked for help in finding an address. Contrary to theoretical predictions, no main effects for environmental complexity or environmental pleasantness on prosocial behaviour were observed. However, females were more helpful in the complex environments while males were more helpful in the simple environments. Females also smiled more than males in the complex environments. The results are discussed in reference to sex‐differences in reactions to social density.
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