Altruism: Helping Others

Question 1

Why do we want to understand why people help?

Answer 1

Might inform interventions aimed at increasing helping behaviour

Question 2

3 evolutionary perspectives on why we help

Answer 2

1) Kin selection
2) Reciprocal altruism
3) Cooperative group

Question 3

Kin selection

Answer 3

We provide help to people who are genetically related to us so our genes get passed on

Question 4

Reciprocal altruism

Answer 4

We help others so that they are obligated to help us in the future

Question 5

Cooperative group

Answer 5

When we help ‘in-group’ members we increase the likelihood of survival for all group members because the group is strong

Question 6

3 non-evolutionary perspectives on why we help

Answer 6

1) Social rewards
2) Personal distress
3) Empathetic concern

Question 7

Social rewards

Answer 7

People help in order to receive praise, positive attentions, and rewards

Question 8

Personal distress

Answer 8

By helping we reduce our own personal distress by seeing others suffering

Question 9

Empathetic concern

Answer 9

When we see someone suffering we identify with them and understand their suffering

Question 10

Bystander Apathy

Answer 10

Instances were individuals in group situations fail to help others in need

Question 11

Diffusion of responsibility

Answer 11

Associated with bystander apathy. We are less likely to help if there are others present

Question 12

2 key reasons why people are less likely to help when in the presence of others (Latane and Rodin)

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Five stage model of bystander apathy

Answer 13

Includes 5 stages that must occur in order for someone to help. In each stage something can go wrong that may limit helping

Question 14

Stage 1

Answer 14

Notice Situation

- In busy crowds there are more distractions, less likely to notice

Question 15

Stage 2

Answer 15

Interpret the event as one requiring intervention

• Situations can be ambiguous
• We look towards others to see if they are confused or alarmed

Question 16

Stage 3

Answer 16

Assume Responsibility

- We may not assume responsibility because we think someone else will aka pluralistic ignorance

Question 17

Stage 4

Answer 17

Decide how to help

- We may lack knowledge on how to help

Question 18

Stage 5

Answer 18

Confidence to help

- We may lack confidence in our ability to help

Question 19

2 ways to reduce bystander apathy

Answer 19

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)

Question 20

Are females more likely to get help than men? (yes or no)

Answer 20

yes

Question 21

5 key helper characteristics

Answer 21

1) Situational constraints
2) Gender
3) Rural vs Urban
4) Religion
5) Mood

Question 22

The ‘good samaritan’ study shows that…

Answer 22

if we are high in situational constraints we are less likely to help

Question 23

Women are equally likely to help men and women whereas men are more likely to help _______

Answer 23

women

Question 24

Women are more likely to provide…

Answer 24

social support or volunteer

Question 25

Men are more likely to be….

Answer 25

heroic helpers in dangerous situations

Question 26

Why are people more likely to help in rural situations?

Answer 26

Less busy, less bystander apathy, and encounter more people in your in-group

Question 27

People who are religious or thinking about religion are…

Answer 27

more likely to help

Question 28

Why are people in good moods more likely to help than people in neutral moods?

Answer 28

Motivated to maintain good mood, positive mindset about helping

Question 29

People in good moods might not help if…

Answer 29

the cost of helping is high or unpleasant

Question 30

Bad moods lead to helping if…

Answer 30

that person is responsible for the bad mood and might help to repair their negative feelings

Question 31

Bad moods don’t lead to helping if…

Answer 31

we are feeling grief or depression. Or if the cause of the bad mood is someone else