Social Psychology - CH 5 Prosocial Behavior

Prosocial Behavior

Any act performed with the goal of benefiting another person.

Altruism

The desire to help another person even if it involves a cost to the helper.

Evolutionary Psychology

 Explains social behavior in terms of genetic factors that have evolved over time according to the principles of natural selection.

Kin Selection

The idea that behaviors that help a genetic relative are favored by natural selection.

Norms of Reciprocity

The expectation that helping others will increase the likelihood that they will help us in the future.

Social Exchange Theory

Argues that much of what we do stems from the desire to maximize our rewards and minimize our costs.

Empathy

The ability to put oneself in the shoes of another person and to experience events and emotions (e.g., joy and sadness) the way that person experiences them

Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis

The idea that when we feel empathy for a person, we will attempt to help that person for purely altruistic reasons, regardless of what we have to gain

Altruistic Personality

The qualities that cause an individual to help others in a wide variety of situations.

In-group

The group with which an individual identifies as a member

Out-group

Any group with which an individual does not identify.

Simpatia

refers to a range of social and emotional traits, including being friendly, polite, good-natured, pleasant, and helpful toward others

Feel Good, Do Good

The idea that when people feel good, they behave more prosocially

Feel Bad, Do Good

 The idea that when people are feeling bad, they behave prosocially because that kind of behavior makes them feel better

Urban Overload Hypothesis

The theory that people living in cities are constantly bombarded with stimulation and that they keep to themselves to avoid being overwhelmed by it.

Bystander Effect

The finding that the greater the number of bystanders who witness an emergency, the less likely any one of them is to help