6.4 Altruism

Altruism

The selfless concern for the well-being of others, leading to behavior that benefits others at a personal cost

Prosocial behavior

acting in ways that promote the welfare of others, without concern for oneself

Bystander effect

diffusion of responsibility, tendency to withhold help if other people are present

Statistical significance

an increase in the perceived number of witnesses causes a decrease in helping behavior; the results shown are not due to random chance

Situational Variables

external factors like the presence of an authority figure, group dynamics, social norms, room temperature, noise level, or the urgency of a situation, which can significantly affect how someone behaves in a given context

Attentional Variables

specific aspects of a situation that capture a person's focus, like the facial expression of someone speaking, the tone of their voice, or a particular visual cue in a room

Social Responsibility Norm

The societal expectation that people should help others who need assistance, without regard to future exchanges

Social Reciprocity Norm

The societal expectation that people should help others who need assistance, if they do the same

Social Debt

A sense of guilt or obligation after receiving a favor, creating an unspoken pressure to reciprocate and often causing discomfort or anxiety until the “debt” feels repaid

Social Traps

Situations in which individuals or groups pursue immediate rewards that later prove to have negative or even catastrophic consequences for the larger community

Burnout

a psychological syndrome that occurs when someone experiences prolonged or repeated stress, resulting in emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion

Superordinate Goals

Shared goals that require cooperation among individuals or groups, typically overriding smaller or individual conflicts and fostering collaborative efforts

The 4 C’s of peace

• Contact

• Cooperation

• Communication

• Conciliation