Prosocial Behaviour

Question 1

Why people help (motives for prosocial behavior)

Answer 1

1. empathy-altruism
2. negative-state relief
3. empathic joy (empathic joy hypothesis)
4. competitive altruism
5. evolutionary perspective (kin selection theory)
6. defensive helping

Question 2

Steps in deciding to help

Answer 2

1. notice the event
2. interpret the event as an emergency
3. assume responsibility
4. know the appropriate form of assistance
5. implement decision

Question 3

step 2: interpret the event as an emergency

Answer 3

factors:

1. pluralistic ignorance (interpreting event as a non-emergency)
2. relationship between attacker and victim

Question 4

costs of helping

Answer 4

1. time (time is money, pressure)
2. fear of negative consequences
   - embarrassment
   - being “punished” for one’s good intention

Question 5

Mood and helping

Answer 5

• Mood maintenance hypothesis
• Positive outlook
• Negative-state relief model

Question 6

Experiment: Mood and helping

Answer 6

Isen et al. studies (1972)

Question 7

Gender differences in helping

Answer 7

Masculine and feminine role

Question 8

factors affecting tendency to help

Answer 8

1. characteristics of victim
   - similarity
   - responsibility
   - social class
2. characteristics of actor
   - attention focus
   - anonymity/deindividuation
3. reward/cost analysis
4. learning perspective

Question 9

costs of receiving help

Answer 9

1. attribution theory (towards own self-esteem)
2. reactance theory
3. indebtedness or gratitude?
4. implications for ways to obtain help