Ch 9: Prosocial Behavior: Doing What’s Best for Others

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from Chapter 9 on prosocial behavior in social psychology.

Prosocial Behavior

Doing something that is good for other people or for society as a whole.

Upstream Reciprocity

Passing benefits on to third parties instead of returning benefits to one’s benefactors.

Reciprocity

The obligation to return in kind what another has done for us.

Moral Reasoning

Using logical deductions to make moral judgments based on abstract principles of right and wrong.

Cooperation

Working together with someone for mutual or reciprocal benefit.

Prisoner's Dilemma

A game that forces people to choose between competition and cooperation.

Forgiveness

Ceasing to feel angry toward or seek retribution against someone who has wronged you.

Obedience

Following orders from an authority figure.

Conformity

Going along with the crowd; saying or doing whatever other people are doing.

Trust

Strong belief in the reliability and validity of someone or something.

Kin Selection

The evolutionary tendency to help people who have our genes (family members).

Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis

The idea that empathy motivates people to reduce other people’s distress by helping or comforting.

Just World Hypothesis

The assumption that life is essentially fair, that people generally get what they deserve and deserve what they get.

Bystander Helping

The assistance provided by bystanders in emergencies, influenced by recognizing, interpreting, and taking responsibility for helping.

Five Steps to Helping

1) Notice that something is happening, 2) Interpret the meaning of the event, 3) Take responsibility for providing help, 4) Know how to help, 5) Provide help.

Costs and Benefits of Helping

Assessing the potential drawbacks (e.g., losing time) and rewards (e.g., social approval) associated with helping behavior.