week 11: altruism
What is prosocial behaviour?
actions that are more beneficial to others and have positive outcomes, intentions matter
What is altruism?
a motive to increase another’s welfare without conscious regard for one’s own interests
What is egoism?
self-interest is the primary or even only, motivator of human actions; explains social behaviours like reciprocity and cooperation
What are the evolutionary perspectives on helping? What are the mechanisms for overcoming selfishness?
helping behaviour is an inherent, genetic trait that has evolved over time and passed down from generation to generation, seen as beneficial for survival
4 mechanisms for overcoming selfishness
kin selection - “carry me genes and I’ll favour you”
direct reciprocity - “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”
indirect reciprocity: “i’ll scratch your back, you scratch someone’s, and someone will scratch mine”
group selection: back scratching groups survive
What are social responsibility norms?
people will help those dependent on them
ie. gender - women receiving more offers of help, women receive more offers of help in general, collectivist culture
What are norms of reciprocity?
we invest in others and expect dividends
ppl who cannot reciprocate may feel demeaned by accepting aid, especially those w high self-esteem
cultural differences also affect how ppl respond to this
What is social exchange theory? What is cost-benefit analysis?
motivates us to help; we help those who have helped us
cost benefit analysis
suggests that ppl implicitly weigh the costs and benefits of helping; human interactions are transactions that aim to maximize one’s rewards and minimizes one’s costs
What is bystander effect and intervention?
an individual is less likely to help someone in distress when there are other ppl present [ie. the Kitty Case]
interpreting the situation/ambiguity of the situation
evaluation apprehension
diffusion of responsibility
perceived risk
What is prosocial behaviour?
actions that are more beneficial to others and have positive outcomes, intentions matter
What is altruism?
a motive to increase another’s welfare without conscious regard for one’s own interests
What is egoism?
self-interest is the primary or even only, motivator of human actions; explains social behaviours like reciprocity and cooperation
What are the evolutionary perspectives on helping? What are the mechanisms for overcoming selfishness?
helping behaviour is an inherent, genetic trait that has evolved over time and passed down from generation to generation, seen as beneficial for survival
4 mechanisms for overcoming selfishness
kin selection - “carry me genes and I’ll favour you”
direct reciprocity - “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”
indirect reciprocity: “i’ll scratch your back, you scratch someone’s, and someone will scratch mine”
group selection: back scratching groups survive
What are social responsibility norms?
people will help those dependent on them
ie. gender - women receiving more offers of help, women receive more offers of help in general, collectivist culture
What are norms of reciprocity?
we invest in others and expect dividends
ppl who cannot reciprocate may feel demeaned by accepting aid, especially those w high self-esteem
cultural differences also affect how ppl respond to this
What is social exchange theory? What is cost-benefit analysis?
motivates us to help; we help those who have helped us
cost benefit analysis
suggests that ppl implicitly weigh the costs and benefits of helping; human interactions are transactions that aim to maximize one’s rewards and minimizes one’s costs
What is bystander effect and intervention?
an individual is less likely to help someone in distress when there are other ppl present [ie. the Kitty Case]
interpreting the situation/ambiguity of the situation
evaluation apprehension
diffusion of responsibility
perceived risk