Density does not help: Help-giving, help-seeking and help-reciprocating of residents of high and low student dormitories

The present study explored self-reports of male and female students living in high-rise or low dormitories regarding their help-giving, help-seeking and help-reciprocating behaviors. Helping relations were studied in behaviors involving exchange of money, services and emotional support. Students living in low dormitories indicated more willingness to give and seek help and less need to reciprocate a favor than students living in high dormitories. Also, only helping responses of students living in high dormitories were affected by the state of need for help. The conceptual and applied implications of these findings are discussed.