pro and anti social behaviour1

Pro-social behaviour

Voluntary actions that promote social acceptance and benefit society and its members.

Factors influencing pro-social behaviour

Reciprocity principle, social responsibility, personal characteristics (empathy, mood, competence), altruism.

Helping

Voluntary actions that benefit others; differentiated from altruism.

Reciprocity Principle

The social norm where a person feels obligated to return the favour to someone who has helped them.

Social Responsibility

The theory that individuals are accountable for acting in a way that benefits society.

Empathy

The ability to sense and share the thoughts or feelings of another person.

Mood

A temporary state of mind or feeling, influencing likelihood of pro-social behaviours.

Competence

The ability to do something successfully and efficiently.

Altruism

Helping others without expecting a personal reward.

Empathy-altruism hypothesis

The more empathy felt by an individual, the more likely they will display altruistic behaviour.

Empathy-altruism decision tree

A framework for understanding if one will help based on feelings of empathy or self-interest.

Antisocial behaviour

Behaviour that harms society and its members by intentionally violating the rights of others.

The Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where the more people are present, the less likely help is offered.

Audience Inhibition

Failure to intervene in an emergency in the presence of others due to fear of being judged.

Diffusion of Responsibility

Reduction in personal responsibility in a group, leading to inaction.

Cost-Benefit Analyses

Psychological process of weighing benefits of an action against the potential costs.

Groupthink

Group members conform to make unanimous decisions without critical thinking.

Bullying

The purposeful use of a difference in power to repeatedly cause harm.

Latané & Darley (1968) Aim

To observe the behaviour of bystanders in an emergency.

Latané & Darley (1968) Participants

87 male college students at Columbia University contacted to participate.

Latané & Darley (1968) Independent Variables

Group size (alone or in a group); presence of passive confederates.

Latané & Darley (1968) Dependent Variable

Whether the participant leaves the room to report smoke.

Bystander Effect

The more present, the less likely individuals will help.

Social Influence

Conformity to the inaction of a group during an emergency.

Peer Pressure

The influence to conform to the attitudes and behaviours of a group.

Empathy

The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Consequences of Inaction

Potential feelings of guilt or ethical conflict from not helping.

Social Norms

Rules that govern the behaviour of individuals within a society.

Role Model

A person whose behaviour is imitated by others.

Psychological Processes

Mental operations that influence decision-making and behaviour.

Emergency Situation

A critical scenario requiring immediate assistance.

Personal Responsibility

The obligation of an individual to take action in a situation.

Intervention

Action taken to improve a situation or help someone in need.

Reaction to Distress

Responses individuals may have when witnessing someone in need.

Motivations for Helping

Reasons why an individual decides to assist another in need.

Assessment of Risks

Evaluating the dangers involved in taking action.

Peer Dynamics

Interactions and relations within a group that affect behaviour.

Cultural Influences

The impact of societal norms on individual behaviour.

Reputational Considerations

Concerns about how one's actions will be perceived by others.