Relationships Learning Outcomes

Question 1

Contrast two theories explaining altruism in humans

Answer 1

Definitions: altruism

Relevant studies/theries:

• Kin Selection Theory (Hamilton 1963)
• Simmons et al. (1977)
• Empathy-Altruism Theory (Batson et al. 1981)
• Batson et al. (1981)

Evaluation/Points to consider:

• Kin Selection theory is: greatly supported by empirical studies and mathematical computer simulations demonstrate that the theory is plausible.
• > However, it cannot explain why people behave altruistically toward non-kin, and not all “kin-like” relationships are blood related.
• Empathy-Altruism theory is: greatly supported by many experiments and can predict conditions in which altruistic behaviour may occur (to an extent)
• > However, it is difficult to generalize to real life, not possible to determine whether behaviour truly is egocentric or emphatic, and it is not always due to empathy, but sometimes due to other reasons.

Question 2

Examine factors influencing bystanderism

Answer 2

Definitons: bystanderism; theory of the unresponsive bystander; cost reward model of helping; cognitive decision model

Relevant studies/theories

• Theory of the unresponsive bystander (Latané and Darley 1968)
• Cognitive decision model (Latané and Darley 1968)
• Latané and Darley (1970)
• Cost reward model of helping (Pilliavin et al. 1969)
• Pilliavin et al. (1969)