ALTRUISM

Question 1

What is altruism?

Answer 1

A motivational state with the goal of increasing another’s welfare

Question 2

What is genuine altruism?

Answer 2

Increasing another’s welfare when there is no benefit to the self (nothing in return for you)

Question 3

Key parts of kin selection

Answer 3

• evolutionary based theory
• helping as a process that helps our reproductive process
• favouritism and sharing resources with those who share our genes

Question 4

Key parts of signalling

Answer 4

• evolutionary based theory
• public behaviours that signal reproductive and physical fitness status
• buying/doing things only those with wealth or status can do

Question 5

Key parts of reciprocity

Answer 5

• direct –> social norm = do something in return

- indirect –> “what does around comes around”

Question 6

Key parts of mood

Answer 6

• helping feels good
• negative state relief
• positive state maintenance

Question 7

5 Stage Model of Bystander Apathy

Answer 7

notice situation –> interpret event as one needing intervention –> assume responsibility –> decide how/if you can help –> help

Question 8

What is pluralistic ignorance?

Answer 8

When majority of group members privately reject a norm but incorrectly assume that most others accept it

Question 9

Prisoner’s Dilemma experiment

Answer 9

• 2 players have 2 options
• outcome depends on choice made by other
• choice to rat them out or cooperate
• always rat them out

Question 10

Smoke Filled Room study

Answer 10

• participants completing survey when smoke begins to pour into room
• alone vs w/ 2 confederates
• DV = do Ps go get experimenter?
• diffusion of responsibility

Question 11

Egotism vs Altruism Study - Toi and Batson - 1982

Answer 11

• Ps evaluate “pilot programs” for uni radio station
• Each student hears tape about Carol Mercy
• 1/2 participants told to be objective as listening
• 1/2 told to adopt target’s perspective
• Independent variable:
  
  • Empathy = objective or target’s perspective
  • Guilt = same psyc 100 section or not
• Dependent variable = agreement to help
• They help because they feel compassion even when costs outweigh rewards
  
  • People only help for selfish reasons (light blue) when they have to see Carol again

Question 12

“The Good Samaritan” study

Answer 12

• Participants were students at Princeton Theological Seminary
• Told they would be giving a talk about parable of Good Samaritan or job opportunities
• When arrived at lab - told that talk would be in another building, given time manipulation
• On way to building, passed a confederate slumped in a doorway and moaning in pain
• DV - do participants (seminary students) help
• Time pressure hinders helping

Question 13

Gender and Help

Answer 13

• Women offered help equally - men offered more help when strangers in need were females
• Men more frequently help attractive women rather than unattractive
• Women receive more offers of help and seek more help

Question 14

Social Responsibility Norm

Answer 14

• belief that people should help those who need help - without regard to future exchanges
• Western = usually apply this principle selectively to those whose need appears not to be due to their own negligence –> more focused on the self-not social ties

Question 15

Reciprocity in numbers

Answer 15

• Those in small towns, churches, schools etc are conducive in community spirit in which people care for each other
• people in big cities are less likely to be so helpful