Morality/Aggression/Prosocial Behavior

Question 1

Haidt and Kesebir (2010)

Answer 1

Handbook chapter on morality psychology. Moral psychology is defined as the study of how individuals resolve quandaries. Deontologists focus on the rightness or wrongness of actions without consideration of their consequences whereas Consequentialists propose that actions be judged by their consequences alone.

gemeinschaft (community) and gesellschaft (civil society) in regards to human social categorization with the idea being that traditional organizations (gemeinschaft) centered around shared blood, shared space, and shared mind of beliefs. With advances in technology, capitalism, and mobility, social organization moved towards gesellschaft which is marked by a system in which individuals who are free to move about and make their own decision as long as they don’t harm or cheat others

5 groups of virtues that have been found across a variety of cultures (Harm, fairness, ingroup/loyalty, authority/respect, purity). Liberals concerned with first two, conservatives with all 5.

Question 2

Penner, Dovidio, Piliavin, and Schroeder (2005)

Answer 2

define prosocial behaviors as a broad category of acts defined by one’s social group that is generally beneficial to other people. provide a multilevel framework for investigating prosocial behaviors across three levels of analysis: The meso (dyadic) level , the micro (individual) level, and the macro (org.) level

meso - bystander intervention - people help when they recognize that someone needs help, assume responsibility, and decide how they will help. Another theory is that people decide to help based on the result of a cost/reward basis

micro - we’re evolutionarily hardwired to help people. We often help kin to extend genes, help to increase status or quid pro quo, and bc groups made with more altruists have an advantage

macro - Religious groups, families with volunteering experiences, high income, high eduction are more likely to volunteer.

Question 3

Bushman and Huesmann (2010)

Answer 3

Handbook chapter on aggression and violence.

Aggression theories - Frustration-Aggression Theory (Dollard et al., 1939); Operant condition theory (Skinner)/classical conditioning theory (Pavlov​); Vicarious learning of aggression (Bandura, 1965)​; Ego depletion theory (Baumeister, Vohs, and Tice, 2007)​

Antecedents of aggression - environmental factors, weapons effect, individual factors (low IQ, poor self control, rejection sensitivity), family/culture (honor culture; Nisbett and Cohen, 1996), media exposure, anonymity, alcohol (via alcohol myopia/reduced inhibitions)

Aggression Reduction - Targeting range of aggression antecedents, addressing aggressive behaviors during childhood; Interventions targeting behavioral modification; relaxation/cognitive techniques

Question 4

Vandello and Cohen (2003)

Answer 4

investigating how domestic violence may be implicitly or explicitly sanctioned and reinforced within cultures of honor. Found that female infidelity damages a man’s reputation, and can be restored through the use of violence. Women in honor cultures are expected to remain loyal in the face of jealousy-related violence. Also provides cultural insights as to why some women stay in abusive relationships.

Within honor cultures, honor refers to a man’s status, precedence, and reputation. Prevalent in the south, Latinx communities, middle east, etc. Fosters traditional gender roles, dictates toughness for males and modesty for females