Prosocial Behaviour Flashcards
Egoistic model
when behaviours are done for selfish reasons
Altruistic model
when behaviours are done for selfless reasons
Prosocial behaviour
positive social actions intended to help others
Proactive Model
Not for emotional gain
Reactive Model
For emotion gain
Negative state relief model
We provide help to relieve our own negative reaction to thinking another’s pain
Empathy
Having compassion for another
Cost-benefit analysis
We are more inclined to help others when it will help us as well. We weigh others needs with our own
Reciprocity Norm
People expect that those for whom they do favor will do a favor back when requested
Social Responsibility Norm
Prosocial behaviour can be inspired by pressure from society and its members (active religious community, culture)
According to Evolutionist, what is the essence of life?
Gene survival
According to Evolutionist, why would “altruistic” genes not have survived?
Goes agains Darwinism and the Survival of the fittest. Altruistic genes have no evolutionary advantage
Altruism
An individual acting in a way that will decrease its own survival chances, but improve the survival chances of another individual
Kin Selection
helping relatives to reproduce resulting in the spreading of shared genes
Inclusive Fitness
ability of an individual organism to pass on its genes to the next generation, taking into account the shared genes passed on by the organism’s close relatives
What animal is an excellent example of kin selection?
Ants
Reciprocal Altruism
a behaviour whereby an organism acts in a manner that temporarily reduces its fitness while increasing another organism’s fitness, with the expectation that the other organism will act in a similar manner at a later time
What did Trivers argue in 1971?
an altruistic act need not necessarily be reciprocated by the person directly assisted but can be returned indirectly from other individuals
What did Alexander (1987) suggest as a very good way of demonstrating your altruism at only a modest cost?
Donating Blood
Is there safety in numbers?
Sometimes but usually no
Diffusion of responsibility
a sociopsychological phenomenon whereby a person is less likely to take responsibility for action or inaction when others are present. Considered a form of attribution, the individual assumes that others either are responsible for taking action or have already done so
How can we combat the Pluralistic Ignorance?
Learning about psychological theories that help you understand your own thought processes and behaviours, you can avoid obstacles that may prevent you from helping others in need
What are the 5 steps of helping?
Notice the emergency, Interpret the situation as requiring help, Feel personal responsibility to help, Decide how to help, Provide the help
What factors effect Prosocial Behavior?
Mood, Gender, Social Class and generosity, Exposure to prosocial models
What at the 5 traits of Prosocial Behaviour?
Empathy, Internal locus of control, Belief in a just world, A sense of social responsibility, low egocentrism
What factors reduce helping?
Social exclusion, Darkness, Putting economic value on time
