Unit 7: Prosocial Behavior Flashcards
Prosocial behavior
Voluntary actions that are valued by society and contribute to others’ well-being (e.g., charity, cooperation, sympathy)
Helping behavior
(subcategory of prosocial behavior); a set of acts that deliberately benefit another person
Altruism
Helping others without expecting personal gain
Learning theories
We help because we’re taught in our childhood through instructions, reinforcements, and models
Evolutionary theories
We help for mutual benefits (mutualism), kin selection (helping family), reciprocity (helping others expecting help), and to avoid group punishment (sanction)
Social norms
Guide us to help others, based on expectations like social responsibility and reciprocity
Social responsibility standard
The rule to help others freely, regardless of future benefits
Reciprocity rule
The expectation to help those who have helped us
Processual Model of Altruism (Schwart, 1977)
Outlines stages—attention, motivation, evaluation, advocacy, and behavior—that guide helping decisions based on situational norms
Motivational theories
We help when we’re motivated, usually to achieve a personal goal, either directly or indirectly
Selfishness
Helping can benefit us (material, social, or ego rewards)
Altruism
Help for the benefit of others, without expecting anything in return
Collectivism
Helping benefits a group (e.g., family, country)
Principlism
Help due to moral principles, aiming for the greatest welfare
Personality
Certain personality traits (e.g., empathy, belief in a fair world) predispose individuals to help
Cost-Reward Model
We help when the rewards (empathy, social approval) outweigh the costs (time, effort)
Factors affecting decisions to help
- Physiological activation
- Labeling distress
- Assessing the consequences
Bystander Effect
We are less likely to help when others are present, as responsibility is diffused (e.g., diffusion of responsibility, inhibition by the audience, and social influence)
