PSY 221: Helping and Cooperation

Vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the PSY 221 lecture on helping and cooperation.

Prosocial Behavior

An individual’s behavior intended to help others.

Cooperation

The act of two or more people working together toward a common goal that will benefit all involved.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where the presence of more bystanders decreases the likelihood of any one person helping.

Diffusion of Responsibility

The reduction of personal responsibility for action by being surrounded by others who are seen to share in the responsibility.

Norm of Social Responsibility

The societal expectation that those able to take care of themselves should assist those who cannot.

Egoism

Behavior motivated by the desire to obtain personal rewards.

Altruism

Behavior intended to help others without any prospect of personal rewards.

Negative-State Relief Model

The idea that people help others primarily to relieve their own distress.

Empathy-Altruism Model

The theory that feelings of empathy and compassion lead to altruistic helping behavior.

Judging Deservedness

Factors influencing whether or not a person merits help based on perceptions of their situation.

Time Pressure

A condition affecting the likelihood of helping, where the perception of having limited time leads to decreased help.

Motives for Helping

Various reasons individuals may have for offering help, including evolutionary, emotional, and situational factors.

Teaching Helping Norms

The process of encouraging helping behavior by providing examples and establishing social expectations for caring.

Increasing Internal Attributions

Encouraging a self-perception that promotes helping behavior.

Promoting Identification

Creating connections among individuals to foster empathy and encourage helping behavior.

Connectedness

The sense of association and community among individuals that enhances likelihood of helping.

Ambiguity in Helping Situations

Uncertainty in a situation that makes it unclear whether help is needed or appropriate.