Helping Behaviour Flashcards
Pro-social Behaviour
Involves acts of helping behaviour that involve personal cost to the helper.
Factor Influencing Helping Behaviour
- Situational factors
- Social factors
- Personal factors
Situational Factors
Researchers Latane and Darley (1968) identified three situational factors that influence helping behaviour involving the following:
- Do we notice the situation?
- Do we interpret the situation?
- Are we prepared to take on the responsibility for helping in a given situation?
Noticing the Situation
Research has shown that when individuals are on their own, they are quicker to notice something different or unusual then when they are in a group.
Interpreting the Situation
Often situations are ambiguous and this can make it difficult to judge whether or not a helping hand is needed.
Taking Responsibility for Helping
The presence of onlookers can influence an individuals sense of responsibility to take action - perceiving others as equally or more responsible to help.
Bystander Effect
Individuals are less likely to help individuals if other bystanders are present (or believed to be present). The greater number of bystanders the less likely one of them is to help.
Social Factors
Include ‘social norms’ - standards that govern what people should or should not do in different social situations. These are not always explicit/unwritten rules.
Reciprocity Norms
An unwritten rule that we should give what we receive or expect to receive.
Social Responsibility Norm
Prescribes that we should help those who need help because it is our responsibility and duty to do so.
- we are more likely to help if we feel that the person in need is not responsible for their hardship..
Personal Factors
The unique characteristics of an individual, including their past experiences and disposition, can also play a role in pro-social behaviour.
Empathy
The ability to identify with and understand another persons feelings or difficulties. We are more likely to help others if we feel empathy for them.
Mood
We are more likely to help a person in need if we are in a good mood.
Competence
We are more likely to help someone if we feel that we have the skills and expertise required.
Altruism
A type of helping behaviour where the motive to help is totally selfless. This behaviour is focussed on the wellbeing or benefit of others without thought to personal gain or reward.
