1) Distinguish between altruism and pro-social behaviour

Batson (1991) defines altruism

'a motivational state with the ultimate goal of increasing another's welfare'

Exam sentence, key difference between altruism and pro-social behaviour

Altruism assumes there is no expectation of personal benefit to the person doing the helping. Pro-social behaviour usually involves some benefit to the person doing the helping.

Altruism

Altruism is when one helps another person for no reward, and even at some cost to oneself.

In sum Pro social behaviour definition:

Behaviour that benefits another person or has positive social consequences.

If altruism is the performance of pro-social actions without expectation of benefit for oneself then can anyone be truly altruistic?

It is easy to identify possible benefits to the actor and difficult to research. How do you research expectation - is it really likely people engage in behaviour without prior expectations featuring the self?

Distinguish definition

Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items

Exam sentence - behaviour + social dimension

Most behavior has some form of social dimension whether in terms of the behavior OR the re-telling.

Example 2: Reduce anxiety/avoiding negative feelings.

Pro-social behavior may reduce or avoid negative feelings.

Example 1: Egoism as a motivation

Sometimes the reason for engaging in pro-social behaviour is a selfish one. E.G if a person puts money in a charity box in order to feel good, egoistic motivation is behind the action.

In sum Altruism definition:

the ultimate goal is increasing another's welfare, regardless of personal cost or benefit.

Prosocial behaviour definition

Pro-social behaviour is defined as behaviour that benefits another person or has positive social consequences (Staub 1978). This definition is often considered too vague, because although it discusses the outcome of the behaviour, it does not consider the motivation of the behaviour.

Psychological hedonism

Some people argue that the ultimate goal of all human behaviour is personal pleasure. Therefore, within this paradigm true altruism does not exist. However, others argue that altruistic motivation does exist, with personal benefit not the motive to act, but rather a concern for the welfare of others despite the possible costs of acting.