Altruism/Empathy + Morality Flashcards
Why do males and females (kids) socialize differently
We socialize our kids to behave differently
Parents tell male kids to go help the people in distress
Parents tell female kids to understand how they would feel if they were in the distressed person’s shoes
Boys are told to be more competitive –> always one up others
Give them diff types of toys => guns for boys ; tea sets for girls
What aspects contribute to altruism
Theory of mind: Cognitive abilities Prosocial moral (empathic) reasoning: Weighing pros and cons of helping (the costs)
What is theory of mind in terms of altruism
Theory of mind associates with cognitive abilities
- what you experience is diff than me but also i should be able to put myself in your shoes - Important = I see the world differently than you
What is prosocial moral (empathic reasoning) in terms of altruism
- prosocial moral reasoning
- when we go through different scenarios we think: what is it going to cost me to help → weigh out the pros & cost
- If kid sees that someone is hurt and the only thing that can help is my favourite thing (toy, etc) then i won’t give my stuff cuz i don’t get anything out of it
- As we develop we are beginning to see the cost change over time –> look at grand scheme of things
- The earlier we make the decision to give up stuff to help others, the more we are going to be prosocial to others
What is “bridging emotional states”
Being able to experience other people’s emotional states
We have bred within us the ability to mirror your physiological, emotional, behaviours (ex: facial expressions)
What is sympathetic empathic arousal [altruism]
- Kids need to see their parents demonstrate and guide them on how to react in situations
- modelling = demonstrating → showing them how they react and encouraging reactions
- guidance = taking the kids and showing them first hand how to help
- reasoning/empathic induction → how would you feel if you were in their place
- If the parenting style is warm and sensitive = child will be more empathatic
How does culture influence altruism
Culture → individualist culture (ME/I SOCIETY) vs collectivist culture (WE SOCIETY)
- collectivist cultures tends to display more altruism
- individualistic culture place particular importance on individuals competition over group goals
How does level of industrialization influence altruism
- industrialization
- more industrialization = less altruism
- industrialized cultures = smaller family
- less industrialized cultures = larger family ⇒ more likely to have to take care of younger siblings and stuff which develops altruism
What type of reinforcement is good for altruism
- The parents who verbally reinforce behaviour → kids grow up to be altruistic
- The parents who use materials to reinforce behaviour → kids grow up to not be altruistic
What is morality
- Morality is a set of principles and ideals we live by that allows an individual to say something (an action) is right or wrong
- Morality transcends all aspects of psychology
What is moral affect
The feelings you get when you do something (ex: guilt, concern, etc) around right vs wrong
It motivates moral thoughts and actions
What is moral reasoning
Our idea of what’s right or wrong
Influences our decision making process of behaviour
How you judge other people’s actions
What is moral behaviour
Your actual behaviour when temptations violate moral rules
What is the psychodynamic theory of moral development
- Psychodynamics
- siggy had large notions of morality
- you have an ego that tells you all the time what’s right or wrong
- Your ego ideal (moral compass) = conscience
When you don’t uphold moral values, you feel a moral anxiety = guilt
Your moral comes in when you’re going through the oedipus stage –> while you are fighting to get with the parent of the opposite gender you are learning off of the parent who shares the same gender as you
What is the social learning theory of moral development
- Social learning
- Those who are securely attached relationship w parents = more morally mature
- Committed compliance = self motivated to adhere to the rules of certain situations
- Situational compliance = promoted by insensitive parents
- parents control situation → kids follow rules only if parents are around
- parents not around = less compliance
