Prosocial Behavior

What is prosocial behavior?

Actions intended to benefit others.

Define altruism.

Helping is motivated purely by the desire to benefit another, even at a cost to the helper

What does evolutionary psychology explain about helping behavior?

It suggests that helping behavior is influenced by natural selection.

What is kin selection?

The tendency to help genetic relatives to ensure the survival of shared genes.

What is the norm of reciprocity?

The expectation that helping others will lead to them helping in the future.

What is the controversial concept of group selection?

The idea that groups with altruistic members may outcompete more selfish groups.

What does social exchange theory argue?

Prosocial acts are motivated by a cost-benefit analysis.

What is the empathy-altruism hypothesis?

The theory that empathy leads to altruistic helping.

What personal qualities influence prosocial behavior?

Altruistic personality, gender differences, cultural influences, religion, and mood.

How do gender differences influence helping behavior?

Men are more likely to engage in heroic helping; women tend to provide social support.

How does empathy influence helping behavior?

Higher empathy increases the likelihood of helping, regardless of personal costs.

How does having an altruistic personality influence helping behavior?

Higher likelihood of helping generally

How does culture influence helping behavior?

Cultures that emphasize simpatía (friendliness and helpfulness) tend to exhibit higher rates of prosocial behavior.

How does religion influence helping behavior?

More helping within religious in-groups; no more help to out-groups, may even increase hostility towards out-groups.

How does mood influence helping behavior?

Positive moods can enhance helping behavior (the 'feel good, do good' effect), while negative moods (like guilt) can also motivate individuals to help

How does media exposure affect helping behavior?

Playing prosocial video games or listening to prosocial songs increases helping behavior.

___________ settings are more likely to help then urban settings, due to lower sensory overload and stronger community ties.

Rural

What is the bystander effect?

The phenomenon where the presence of more witnesses decreases the likelihood of any individual helping.

What are the five steps to helping in an emergency?

1. Notice the event 2. Interpret it as an emergency 3. Assume responsibility 4. Know how to help 5. Implement the decision to help.

What is pluralistic ignorance?

Misinterpretation of others' inaction as a sign that help is not needed.

What is diffusion of responsibility?

Reduced personal responsibility felt by individuals in groups, leading to less helping.

What is the overjustification effect in volunteering?

Mandatory volunteering can reduce intrinsic motivation; preserving a sense of free choice increases sustained volunteering.

What are the benefits of volunteerism?

Volunteerism benefits both society and the health and well-being of the volunteers.

What is the significance of teaching about the bystander effect?

Awareness of barriers to helping increases the likelihood of intervention.

What did Batson's empathy-altruism experiments demonstrate?

Helping can be motivated by empathy rather than self-interest.

What is the role of residential mobility in helping behavior?

Long-term residents are more likely to help due to greater community attachment.

What is the relationship between helping behavior and community attachment?

Greater community attachment leads to increased helping behavior.

What did Levine et al.'s study on simpatía reveal?

Cultures valuing simpatía show higher rates of helping behavior.

What is the impact of prosocial media on empathy?

Exposure to prosocial media enhances empathy and activates helping-related thoughts.

What is the significance of the Green Dot program?

It trains individuals to intervene and reduce instances of violence.