Give or not give the seat in public transport: what does psychology say about this decision

Give or not give the seat in public transport: what does psychology say about this decision

August 13, 2025 – 14:30

Deciding whether to yield or not give space in the collective, train or subway can save an important meaning according to science.

Mariano Fuchila

In everyday reality any gesture or action we have can reveal something about us because Psychology learned to analyze to the least. For example, the decision of whether or not the seat in public transport Someone who needs it more can reveal interesting personality traits to explore.

According to specialists there are two types of people in this situation: The squeeter and the hoarder. In this note we tell you what each one implies from the psychological point of view and how to know in which profile on you better.

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Mariano Fuchila

What means to give or not the seat in public transport according to psychology

He psychologist and lawyer United States, Robert Goldman He revealed in an article recently published in Psychology Today the meaning of deciding or not giving the seat. Goldman teaches at the University of Hofstra, New York and St. Joseph’s College. In addition, he is a boss psychologist of the company Virtual TLC Resilience.

In this study, Goldman clarifies that There are two possible profiles In this situation: The squeeterwhich is the person who when someone comes to ask for the seat, gives it to him, and The hoarderthat ignores the need of others and refuses to give the seat.

According to Goldman, giving up the seat is a great sample of empathy, factor that stands out in your research. This is a social skill that allows the individual to take into account the other and put themselves in their place. In this sense, it can be deduced that those who have a hoarder profile do not stand out precisely because of their empathy. Prioritize their comfort over the Social courtesy

Although of course empathy is not everything. Giving the seat to someone who needs it can be related to the reciprocity: If we help, the other can help us too. Goldman establishes that there are calls courtesy rulesthat allow an order in society.

It also emphasizes that a unconscious analysis of cost-benefit, in which it is considered a possible moral and emotional reward in which the environment will see you as a friendly and educated person.

Finally, Goldman mentions a phenomenon called the Dissemination of responsibilitythis can inhibit people to act and take action when they are in a large group of people. In this scenario, the probability of denying the seat is low if they do not request it directly. However, when they do face to face, it is more possible that the request is accessed.

Source: Ambito

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