prosocial behaviour & agression

what is prosocial behaviour

voluntary behaviour intended to help or benefit other people

give 3 example of prosocial behaviour

helping

sharing

comforting others

what is altruism

helping others with no expectation of getting anything in return

what is the reciprocity norm

the social rule that we should help those who have helped us

what is kin selection

the idea that we are more likely to help relatives because it helps our genes survive

what is the bystander effect

people are less likely to help in an emergency when others are present

what is diffusion of responsibility

each bystander feels less personally responsible to act when many others are present

give a simple example of the bystander effect

in a busy street, many people see someone collapse but no one phones for help

what is empathy in the context of helping

feeling and understanding another person's emotions, which can motivate helping

name one factor that increases the chance of helping

being in a good mood, seeing others help, or feeling empathy

what is aggression

behaviour intended to harm another person who wants to avoid that harm

give two forms that aggression can take

physical aggression (hitting) and verbal aggression (insults)

what is hostile (emotional) aggression

aggression driven by anger or feelings, with harm as the main goal

what is instrumental aggression

aggression used as a means to an end, like hurting someone to get something you want

according to the frustration-aggression idea, when does aggression become more likely

when people are blocked from reaching a goal and feel frustrated

name one biological influence on aggression

genes, hormones such as testosterone, or brain areas linked to control of impulses

name one environmental or social influence on aggression

exposure to aggressive models, violent media, alcohol, or hot and crowded situations

how can observing other affect aggression

watching aggressive behaviour can teach people to act aggressively (social learning)

give one everyday example of prosocial behaviour

volunteering, donating money, or helping a stranger carry bags

why do psychologists study both prosocial behaviour and aggression together

they are opposite ways of relating to others and help explain when people harm versus help