prosocial behaviour

What is prosocial behavior?

Acts positively valued by society.

what is Altruism

Helping behavior with no expected personal benefit.

Why do humans help others?: Evoluntaionary perspective

• Humans are biologically predisposed to help others.

• Benefits both individuals and the broader species.

• Kin Selection: More likely to help those closer to us (Burnstein et al., 1994).

why do humans help others? Social Norms

Behavior organized around normative beliefs, such as:

• Reciprocity Principle: Returning good deeds.

• Social Responsibility Norm: Duty to help vulnerable individuals.

• Just-World Hypothesis: Helping good people because they deserve it and may result in a reward.

what is the Shopping Cart Hero Theory

Helping without reward, punishment, or witnesses (e.g., returning shopping carts).

experiment on Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1972)

Bryan and Test (1967) Flat Tire Experiment:

• Observing someone helping can increase your likelihood of helping (e.g., changing a tire).

what does modelling pro social behaviour do

people are more likely to help (e.g., returning a wallet) when the outcome is positive (e.g., gratitude).

what is the Bystander Calculus Model

Explains why people help in some situations but not others.

Highlights the role of emotional response and empathy.

3-Step Process:

1. Physiological Arousal: Distressing empathic response to someone in need.

2. Labeling Arousal: Recognizing it as personal distress and attempting to reduce it by helping.

3. Calculating Costs: Evaluating personal costs of helping or not helping.

what is the Bystander Apathy Effect (Latane & Darley, 1968, 1969)

People are less likely to act in emergencies when in groups.

• More likely to act when alone than when others are present.

what are the processes Underlying Bystander Apathy Effect

1. Informational Influence:

   • Ambiguous situations lead people to rely on others’ behavior to determine what to do.

2. Normative Influence:

   • Concern about others’ judgment prevents action (fear of being wrong or ridiculed).

3. Diffusion of Responsibility:

   • Responsibility spreads across group members, reducing individual accountability.