Prosocial Behavior

Situational factors that enhance of inhibit helping

Helping people we like, helping those who are not responsible for their problem, exposure to pro-social models increases pro-social behaviors

Five steps that determine helping versus not helping

1.) noticing, of failing to notice something unusual is happening 2.) Correctly interpreting an event as an emergency 3.) Deciding that it is your responsibility to provide help 4.) Deciding that you have the knowledge of skills to act 5.) Making the final decision to provide help

altruistic personality

A cluster of traits (e.g., high in empathy, belief in a just world that predisposes indiciduals to behave in a prosocial manner

kin selection theory

A theory suggesting that a key goal for all organisms - including human beings - is getting out genes into the next generation; one way in which individuals can reach this goal is by helping others who share there genes

social exclusion

Conditions in which individuals feel that they have been excluded from some social group.

empathy

Emotional reactions that are focused on or oriented toward other people and include feelings of compassion, sympathy, and concern

generativity

Refers to an adult's interest in and commitment to the well-being of future generations

moral integrity

Refers to the extent which individuals care about considerations of goodness and fairness when they act; moral integrity frequently involves accepting some sacrifice of self-interest to do "the right thing."

pluralistic ignorance

Refers to the fact that because non of the bystanders respond to an emergency, no one knows for sure what is happening and each depends on the other to interpret the situation.

empathy-altruism hypothesis

The suggestion that some prosocial acts are motivated solely by the desire to help someone in need

self-interest (egoism)

The view that a large portion of human behavior is based on seeking whatever provides us with the most satisfaction; we seek rewards and try to avoid punishments

empathic joy hypothesis

The view that helpers respond to the needs of a victim because they want to accomplish something, and doing so is rewarding in and of itself.

competitive altruism approach

This view suggests that one important reason why people help others is that doing so boosts their own status and reputation and, in this way, ultimately brings them large benefits ones that more than offset the costs of engaging in prosocial actions.

prosocial behavior

actions by individuals that help others with no immediate benefit to the helper

Three primary motives

self-interest, moral integrity, moral hypocrisy

negative state-relief model

the proposal that prosocial behavior is motivated by the bystander's desire to reduce his or her own uncomfortable negative emotions or feeling

Motives for volunteering

values, understanding, enhancement, career, social, protective