Helping others - (week 8)

Question 1

Prosocial behaviours

Answer 1

Actions intended to benefit others

Question 2

Altruism

Answer 2

Concern, performed without expectation of gain

Question 3

What is an example of helping others experiment?

Answer 3

“Flat Tyre Experiment” - modelling of helpful behaviours.
Control VS experimental group
Those exposed to a model, (a man who had previously helped woman change a tyre), increased altruism. Those exposed to a model, were 50% more likely to help the woman change her tyre.

Conclusion: we learn through vicarious experiences

THEORY: based on Bandura’s social learning theory

“Epileptic seizure” experiment - % of helping others decreased in the presence of random others. Helping increased when alone.

Question 4

Describe the factors to helping

Answer 4

Attribution = helpful people, or perceiving self as a helpful person, will increase helping behaviours

Norms = reciprocity norms (expectations), social responsibility norm (help people in need).

Obligation to help = in some cultures, it is expected

Question 5

What is the role of empathy and arousal in helping others?

Answer 5

We may experience empathy for others, and particularly similar others, which might drive our intentions to help. Having compassion, and understanding the other’s perspective.

Role of arousal = arousal puts us in a state where we become motivated to help + empathy

Question 6

What is altruism? Describe the theory of empathy-altrusim.

Answer 6

Altruism means to improve another’s welfare VS egoism (to improve own welfare)

EMPATHY-ALTRUISM hypothesis = empathic concern for a person in need, produces an altruistic motive for helping

Question 7

What factors might influence helping behaviours?

Answer 7

The bystander effect = presence of others might reduce or motivation to help.

Question 8

Describe the steps in Latane and Darley’s cognitive model to helping (the decision process to helping).

Answer 8

Step 1: must notice something is happening
Step 2: must interpret this as an emergency - ambiguity “is she really sick or just drunk?”
Step 3: must take responsibility to help
Step 4: decide how to help
Step 5: provide help

(Latane & Darley)

Question 9

Provide an example of another experiment of helping others, by Latane and Darley

Answer 9

“Smoke filled room” experiment = 3 participants in a room completing a questionnaire. Smoke fills into the room. Participants look at others for what to do.

Results found that a much lower % of individuals tried to get help, without the presence of others.

Conclusion = presence of others decreases/ inhibits emergency responses.

Question 10

What did results find from the “Falling Cabinet” experiment?

Answer 10

Again, a lower % helped in the presence of others. However, a significant finding was that the presence of friends, increased % of helping.