PBSI 315 - Helping & Prosocial Behavior

Exam 3 - Part 3

The 5 Steps to Helping Behavior

1. Notice the event

2. Interpret it as an emergency

3. Assume responsibility

4. Know how to help

5. Decide to help

Bystander Effect

People are less likely to help when others are present

Historical Case of the Bystander Effect

Kitty Genovese

Influences on Helping - Situational (Bystander Effect)

Less likely to help when others are present

Influences on Helping - Situational (Diffusion of Responsibility)

Responsibility is spread across people → less action

Influences on Helping - Individual Influences

Personality, empathy, mood, values

Cooperation Dilemmas - Prisoner’s Dilemma

Two people choose to cooperate or betray; best individual choice conflicts with best group outcome

Cooperation Dilemmas - Tragedy of the Commons

Shared resources are overused because individuals act in self interest

Cooperation Dilemmas - Tragedy of the Anticommons

Resources underused due to too many restrictions

Cooperation Dilemmas - Ultimatum Game

People reject unfair offers even when it costs them → Fairness matters

Who Helps? - Women

More helping in nurturing roles

Who Helps? - Men

More helping in heroic situations

Who Helps? - Personality Traits

Empathy and kindness increases helping

Who Helps? - Belief in a Just World

People help those they believe deserve help

Social Value Orientation - Altruistic Type

Maximizes others outcomes

Social Value Orientation - Cooperative Type

Maximizes shared outcomes

Social Value Orientation - Equality-Seeking Type

Wants equal outcomes

Social Value Orientation - Individualistic Type

Maximizes own outcomes

Social Value Orientation - Competitive Type

Wants to do better than others

Situational Factors in Cooperation - Culture

Some cultures emphasize cooperation more than others

Situational Factors in Cooperation - Group/Social Identification

Stronger group identity → more cooperation

Situational Factors in Cooperation - Trust

Belief others will cooperate increases cooperation

Situational Factors in Cooperation - Communication & Commitment

Talking & agreeing improves cooperation

Altruistic Helping

Helping others with no expectation of reward

Egoistic Helping

Helping to benefit oneself (ex., feel good, gain reward)

Evolutionary Benefits

Helping increases survival of genes/group

Empathy

Feeling others’ emotions → motivates helping