Prosocial Behavior and Helping Relationships

Flashcards covering key concepts related to prosocial behavior, helping relationships, and factors influencing helping behavior.

Kin selection

The idea that we are more likely to provide help to family members.

Social responsibility norm

The expectation that people will help those who are unable to help themselves.

Reciprocity norm

The principle that people will help those who have helped them.

Direct reciprocity

Helping when you are helped.

Indirect reciprocity

Helping without the expectation that the beneficiary will repay the favor.

Signaling theory

The notion that behaving generously implies other favorable characteristics and contributes to the public good.

Norm of fairness (equity theory)

The motivation to preserve or increase equity in social relationships.

Public goods dilemmas

Situations where individual contributions to a shared resource can lead to collective benefit.

Recipient characteristics

Factors related to the person receiving help that influence the likelihood of providing assistance.

Urban overload hypothesis

The theory that in urban environments, the large number of people can lead to individuals feeling overwhelmed and less likely to help.

Bystander effect

The phenomenon where the greater the number of bystanders who witness an emergency, the less likely any one of them is to help.

Prosocial behavior

Behavior intended to help others.

Cultural influences

The impact of cultural values and norms on the likelihood of helping behavior.

Gender influences on helping

Men are often seen as chivalrous and heroic in helping, while women are perceived as more nurturing.