Prosocial Behavior and Aggression: Key Concepts

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to prosocial behavior, empathy, aggression, and social psychology.

Prosocial behavior

Any act that is intended to benefit others.

Altruism

Prosocial acts done without benefit to oneself or without self-interest.

Kin selection

The evolutionary theory that suggests we help our closest relatives to ensure the survival of shared genes.

Norm of reciprocity

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

Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis

The idea that feeling empathy for someone will lead to helping them, regardless of personal gain.

Social exchange theory

The theory that suggests people weigh the costs and rewards of helping before deciding whether to assist.

Bystander effect

The phenomenon where the presence of others discourages an individual from intervening in an emergency situation.

Cultural values

The beliefs and attitudes that are shared by a group, which can influence prosocial behavior.

Situational determinants of helping

Factors like the presence of others, mood, and the environment that affect whether a person will help.

Communal relationships

Relationships where the primary concern is the welfare of others.

Exchange relationships

Relationships where individuals are primarily concerned with getting what they deserve.

Compassion collapse

The decreased level of empathy or caring individuals feel towards large groups of victims compared to individuals.

Displaced aggression

Aggression directed towards a target that is not the source of frustration.

Hostile aggression

Aggression stemming from feelings of anger and intended to inflict pain.

Instrumental aggression

Aggression as a means to achieve a goal other than causing pain.

Frustration-Aggression Theory

The theory that frustration leads to aggression when an individual's goal is thwarted.

Realistic conflict theory

The theory that prejudice arises from competition for limited resources.

Stereotypes

Generalizations about a group of people in which identical characteristics are assigned to virtually all members of the group, regardless of actual variation.

Prejudice

A hostile or negative attitude toward a distinguishable group based solely on their membership in that group; includes belief structures containing information about a group of people.

Discrimination

Overt behavior directed toward a person simply because of presumed group membership; does not always stem from prejudice.

Social psychology

The study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the real or imagined presence of others.

Sources of prejudice in groups

Race, gender, age, religion, college affiliation, sexual orientation, weight, and attractiveness.

The Cognitive Component

Stereotypes serve as the thoughts about groups, while prejudice encompasses feelings and discrimination refers to behaviors.

Ingroup Bias

The tendency to favor members of one's own group and give them special preference.

Social Identity Theory

Part of our identity that stems from our membership in groups; promotes ethnocentrism and in-group bias.

Microaggressions

Subtle, often unintentional, instances of prejudice that convey slights or indignities.

Realistic Conflict Theory

A theory asserting that limited resources lead to conflict between groups and result in increased prejudice.

Contact Hypothesis

Prejudice will decrease when both groups are of equal status and share a common goal.

automatic prejudice

prejudice that is nonconscious and involuntary,

Stereotype Threat

The fear of confirming stereotypes about one's social group, impacting performance negatively.

Institutionalized Discrimination

Discrimination stemming from institutional policies and practices that disproportionately affect certain groups.

controlled prejudice

prejudice that is conscious and intentional.