Does spatial usage and physical attributes of Thinnai, (house front sit out) promote prosocial behavior of the occupants: An empirical investigation with regional context

This study attempts to demonstrate that the spatial usage and physical attributes of Thinnai (house front sit-out) has the potential to promote prosocial behavior of the occupants. In pursuit of this, Darley and Latane‘s (1969) helping behavior model is applied and the findings revealed the potential of the physical setting in an objective manner. The research questions examined here are: 1) Does the spatial usage and physical attributes of Thinnai facilitate the occupants in providing help in way finding for a stranger. 2) Does the spatial usage and physical attributes of Thinnai facilitate the occupants to return the dropped wallet to the person 3) Does the spatial usage and physical attributes of Thinnai facilitate the occupants to return the dropped Voter‘s Identity card to the card holder.4) Does the spatial usage and physical attributes of Thinnai facilitate the occupants in providing help by lifting and carrying the domestic load for the one who finds difficult to do so. Data collected with questionnaires completed by 143 respondents from rural residential setting were analyzed and the results indicate that The spatial usage and attributes of Thinnai is significant in promoting Helping behavior of the occupants besides the other uncontrolled variables.