Basic Motives Underlying Prosocial Behavior: Why Do People Help?

Question 1

Prosocial Behavior

Answer 1

Any act performed with the goal of benefiting
another person

Question 2

Altruism

Answer 2

The desire to help another person even if it involves a cost to the helper

Question 3

Evolutionary Psychology: Instincts and Genes (1 of 5)

Answer 3

Darwin’s Theory of Evolution:
Natural selection favors genes that promote the survival of the individual
Genes that further survival and increase the probability of producing offspring likely to be passed on
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution:
Genes that lower chances of survival and reduce
the chances of producing offspring less likely to be passed on
Evolutionary Psychology
The attempt to explain social behavior in terms of genetic factors that evolved over time according to the principles of natural selection
Darwin realized early on that there was a problem with evolutionary theory:
How can it explain altruism?
If people’s overriding goal is to ensure their own survival, why would they ever help others at a cost to themselves?
Genes promoting selfish behavior should be more likely to be passed on—or should they?

Question 4

Kin Selection (1 of 3)

Answer 4

The idea that behaviors that help a genetic relative are favored by natural selection
Increase chances genes will be passed along by ensuring that genetic relatives have children
Natural selection should favor altruistic acts directed toward genetic relatives
Survey research found that people reported that they would be more likely to help genetic relatives than nonrelatives in life-and-death situations, such as a house fire.
Anecdotal evidence from real emergencies is consistent with these results.