SOCIAL PSYCH: Prosocial Behavior & Altruism

Prosocial Behavior

Actions valued by others

Different Acts: Helping Behaviors

Voluntarily and intentionally behave in a way that will benefit others

Different Acts: Egoism

Benefit others, but also benefit self

Different Acts: Altruism

Benefit others, but not expected to have any personal benefits

Altruism: Pure (true)

Help w/o the expectation of reciprocity or rewards

Altruism: Genetic (kinship)

Benefits family members

Altruism: Group-selected (similarity)

Group affiliations, reactions to others are motivated by their similarity to us

Altruism: Reciprocal

Help someone because one day they may be able to help you too

Prosocial Behavior Theories: Evolution

Genetically predisposed to help others

Prosocial Behavior Theories: Empathy-Altruism

Empathy drives us to altruistic behavior

Prosocial Behavior Theories: Social Exchange

As long as rewards outweigh the costs, then people will act prosocial

benefits = social approval, profitable

costs = too many resources

Reciprocity

Favor for favor

Social Responsibility

Help others when in need

Just-World Hypothesis

Help others that deserve help

Modeling

Engaging in helping behavior because we have learned to do so by observing