S1 Topic 4 - Prosocial Behaviour Flashcards
Define prosocial behaviour
Give 3 examples
voluntary actions that are intended to help or benefit another individual - hence has positive social consequences
e.g., donating blood, donating organs, fostering
Define altruism
the desire to help another person, even if it involves a cost to the helper
Why is altruism different from helping behaviour?
Helping behaviour is carried out with the intention of deriving personal benefit, while altruism doesn’t consider personal benefit
What are the 2 possible reasons for prosocial behaviour?
altruism
egoism
What are the benefits of helping behaviour to the helper? (5)
- less hopelessness
- better mental health
- less depression
- higher levels of adjustment
- longevity in older adults
What are the biological explanations to why people help? (2)
prosocial action leads to similar brain activity in pleasure and reward centeres
helping produces neurotransmitters such as oxytocin, which is produced during pleasurable experiences
What is the psychoanalytical theory of prosocial behaviour?
prosocial and altruistic behaviour is an attempt to defend ourselves against internal conflicts and anxieties
What is the learning theory of prosocial behaviour?
we learn prosocial behaviour to receive rewards
What is the sociobiological theory of prosocial behaviour?
we help others because our survival depends on it
Explain the group selection theory
altruism between groups is adaptation for group survival as it confers a competitive advantage and gives the members better chances of survival
What are 2 common features of the 3 models of helping (Latane & Darley, Piliavin et al, and Schwartz
- people progress through steps in making a decision to help or not help
- cognitive process such as interpreting a situation and weighing the consequences of alternative choices occur
What are 4 factors that influence prosocial behaviour - explain each one
similarity - we are more likely to help those similar to us
attraction - we are more willing to help someone we find attractive (both physical and personality wise)
relationship - we are more likely to help family, friends, or members of groups we belong to
nature of situation - we are more likely to help someone if we regard the situation as important/worthy
What are the 4 most common theories of prosocial behaviour?
Kin selection
Reciprocity norm
Empathy-altruism hypothesis
Social exchange theory
Explain the theory of kin selection
we are more likely to help family members due to evolution - preserving the bloodline
Explain the theory of the reciprocity norm
a person helps another as a form of insurance so that if they need them in the future, help will be given
Explain the empathy-altruism hypothesis
a man is more likely to help a person if they are in a situation he’s experienced himself
Explain the social-exchange theory
when deciding to help or not help a person, we consciously and unconsciously monitor costs and rewards, which affects our decision
What is the bystander effect?
the more people there are in the vicinity of a person in need, the less likely the person will be helped
What is diffusion of responsibility?
the belief that others will take responsibility for providing assistance to a person in need
Which 3 social processes account for the bystander effect?
Social influences
Audience inhibition
Diffusion of responsibility
