human relationships - theory full

Biological Explanations For Prosocial Behaviour

Prosocial behaviour (as a broad term) – is intentional actions aimed at benefiting others over oneself.

One EXTREME FORM IS altruism – when one helps another person for no apparent reward, and potentially a cost to oneself.

BUT WHY are humans altruistic? BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS

AS A SPECIES

-          Natural selection -> increase behaviour that helps one survive

-          kin selection -> behaviour that helps relatives survive

-          kin selection – the more two individuals are genetically related, the more sense it makes for them to behave selflessly with each other

-          NATURAL + KIN SELECTION = selfish gene theory – there is an innate drive for the survival and propagation of one’s genes

AS INDIVIDUALS -> BRAIN ANATOMY

-          Related to amygdala activation. Larger amygdala, more empathy, more helping behaviours.

Cognitive Explanations For Prosocial Behaviour

Prosocial behaviour –intentional actions aimed at benefiting others over oneself, theory of the mind – cognitive understanding that others have perspectives and emotions distinct from your own , empathy – experiencing the emotions of others yourself,

WHEN one witnesses the suffering of someone else. THEY CAN EITHER FEEL

1.      Personal distress (fear, discomfort) = LOW empathy

2.      Empathetic concern (compassion, sympathy, sadness) = HIGH empathy

Personal distress – TWO OPTIONS

A) removing yourself (walk away, avoid)

B) egoistic helping (help to make yourself feel better. Def – suggests all prosocial behaviour is driven by self-interest) WHICH ONE ease, cost-benefit analysis

Empathetic concern – LEADS TO -> altruistic helping (ensures the person feels better. Def – voluntary selfless behaviour intended to benefit others with little/no expectation of personal reward)

-          WHEN egotistic helping WHEN altruistic helping – easy to remove?

THERE ARE TWO THEORIES – Batsen (1980) Empathy Altruism Model – helping behaviour is motivated by the need to rid distress or because of empathy. Kaldini (1987) Negative State Relief Model – one only helps to reduce sadness/empathy

 

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