Altruism: Helping Others Flashcards
Why do we want to understand why people help?
Might inform interventions aimed at increasing helping behaviour
3 evolutionary perspectives on why we help
1) Kin selection
2) Reciprocal altruism
3) Cooperative group
Kin selection
We provide help to people who are genetically related to us so our genes get passed on
Reciprocal altruism
We help others so that they are obligated to help us in the future
Cooperative group
When we help ‘in-group’ members we increase the likelihood of survival for all group members because the group is strong
3 non-evolutionary perspectives on why we help
1) Social rewards
2) Personal distress
3) Empathetic concern
Social rewards
People help in order to receive praise, positive attentions, and rewards
Personal distress
By helping we reduce our own personal distress by seeing others suffering
Empathetic concern
When we see someone suffering we identify with them and understand their suffering
Bystander Apathy
Instances were individuals in group situations fail to help others in need
Diffusion of responsibility
Associated with bystander apathy. We are less likely to help if there are others present
2 key reasons why people are less likely to help when in the presence of others (Latane and Rodin)
People do what other people do. If someone is not helping, they follow.
More evaluation apprehension when with strangers than friends. Don’t want to embarrass yourself around strangers
Five stage model of bystander apathy
Includes 5 stages that must occur in order for someone to help. In each stage something can go wrong that may limit helping
Stage 1
Notice Situation
- In busy crowds there are more distractions, less likely to notice
Stage 2
Interpret the event as one requiring intervention
- Situations can be ambiguous
- We look towards others to see if they are confused or alarmed
Stage 3
Assume Responsibility
- We may not assume responsibility because we think someone else will aka pluralistic ignorance
Stage 4
Decide how to help
- We may lack knowledge on how to help
Stage 5
Confidence to help
- We may lack confidence in our ability to help
2 ways to reduce bystander apathy
Learning about it and recognizing that the cost of not helping someone who needs help is greater than the cost of trying to help someone who doesn’t need help (asymmetric error)
Are females more likely to get help than men? (yes or no)
yes
5 key helper characteristics
1) Situational constraints
2) Gender
3) Rural vs Urban
4) Religion
5) Mood
The ‘good samaritan’ study shows that…
if we are high in situational constraints we are less likely to help
Women are equally likely to help men and women whereas men are more likely to help _______
women
Women are more likely to provide…
social support or volunteer
Men are more likely to be….
heroic helpers in dangerous situations
Why are people more likely to help in rural situations?
Less busy, less bystander apathy, and encounter more people in your in-group
People who are religious or thinking about religion are…
more likely to help
Why are people in good moods more likely to help than people in neutral moods?
Motivated to maintain good mood, positive mindset about helping
People in good moods might not help if…
the cost of helping is high or unpleasant
Bad moods lead to helping if…
that person is responsible for the bad mood and might help to repair their negative feelings
Bad moods don’t lead to helping if…
we are feeling grief or depression. Or if the cause of the bad mood is someone else
