The independent variable is whether or not people would save a relative or a non-relative from a burning building. The dependent variables are the likelihood of entering the building, the likelihood of saving the person, whether or not the person is related to you, the care that person has shown you, and the availability heuristic.
             The abstract addressed that previous studies of altruism have not taken into account that the would-be altruist presumes that their relatives have shown them more care over the non-relatives. Part of the purpose of the test is to see how much genetics make a difference. It says that the test participants would be presented with relatives and non-relatives that have shown them a high, moderate, or low level of care. The abstract stated that the likelihood for a person to enter a burning building to save someone depended on if they were a relative and how much care they have received from the person that needed help. The test proved that the level of care the person had shown to the would-be altruistic illustrated more variance than genetics. The test also showed that when it really came down to it relatives would be more likely to be saved than non-relatives only if they both showed the same level of care to the would-be altruistic.
             The introduction illustrates that genetics is important to humans, as well as animals, because they are willing to put their self in danger in order to save or help a family member. Many psychologists agree with Hamilton's concept of inclusive fitness that says animals and people prefer to help those that they are related to. Also, people are more likely to save someone who they share more genetic makeup with, such as a sibling (50%), rather than an uncle (25%), and so on. Reciprocity altruism is believed when dealing with non-relatives. People help others who have helped them out in the past. People will be more likely to help other people who have shown even ...