What previous incident prompted the research conducted by Piliavin?

The research conducted by Piliavin was prompted by the murder of Kitty Genovese, a case that highlighted the phenomenon known as the bystander effect. In 1964, Genovese was attacked and killed in New York City, and it was widely reported that her cries for help went unheard by numerous witnesses who did not intervene. This incident raised questions about why people fail to help others in emergencies and led Piliavin and his colleagues to investigate the factors influencing prosocial behavior. Their research sought to understand aspects such as situational variables that could affect whether individuals would choose to assist someone in distress. The outcome of this research added significant insight into social psychology, particularly regarding how the presence of others can inhibit helping behavior.