Chapter 8: Altruism: Helping Others Flashcards
1
Q
Why Do We Help: Theories of Altruism
A
- Social Exchange Theory
- Social Norms Theory
- Evolutionary Psychology Theory
2
Q
Social Exchange Theory
A
- Human interactions are transactions that aim to maximize rewards and minimize one’s costs
3
Q
Social Exchange Theory: Rewards
A
- External/Internal
- Egoism: Self-interest motivates all behavior
- Increasing self-worth, reclaiming a positive public image
- Reducing stress & guilt
4
Q
Social Exchange Theory: Feel Bad, do Good
A
- When one’s attention is on others, altruism is rewarding
- Exception: anger, profound grief
5
Q
Social Exchange Theory: Feel Good, Do Good
A
Happy people are helpful people
6
Q
Social Norms: The Reciprocity Norm
A
- An expectation that people will help those who helped them
- Helps define the “social capital” - cooperative actions with others
7
Q
Social Norm Theory: The Social-Responsibility Norm
A
- An expectation that people will help those dependent on them
- Social norms that are tied into altruistic behaviors
- Linked with attributions
8
Q
Social Norms: Gender
A
- Women receive and ask for help more than men
- Men are more likely to help women than men
9
Q
Evolutionary Psychology: Kin Protection
A
Evolution has created kin altruism to enhance survival of shared genes
10
Q
Evolutionary Psychology: Reciprocity
A
- Helping another for the expectation that help will be received
- Stronger in small, isolated groups
11
Q
Comparing Theories of Altruism: Genuine Altruism
A
- Empathy: The vicarious experience of another’s feeling; putting oneself in another’s shoes
12
Q
Why Do We Help: Theories of Altruism
A
- Social Exchange Theory
- Social Norms Theory
- Evolutionary Psychology Theory
13
Q
When Will We Help: Number of Bystanders
A
- 3 people significantly influenced the time it took for someone to report smoke in the room
14
Q
When Will We Help: Bystander Effect
A
- A person is less likely to help when there are other bystanders
- Less likely to notice a problem
- Interpreting if there’s a problem is more complex when seeing nobody else cares
15
Q
When Will We Help?
A
- Helping when someone else does first
- Time pressures
- Similarity
- Number of Bystanders
