4.3e: Altruism, Conflict, & Peacemaking

Altruism: unselfish regard for the welfare of others

Self-fulfilling prophecies:

Helping

Why do people NOT help?:

→ Bystander effect: as number of bystanders INCREASE, likelihood of help DECREASE

→ Diffusion of responsibility: failure to take responsibility due to presence of others who are seen to share the same responsibility

Do-good-feel-good phenomenon: ppl’s tendency to be helpful when they’re already in a good mood

⭐️ happiness breeds helpfulness (vice-versa)

Why do people HELP?

→ Social exchange theory

→ Reciprocity norm

→ Social-responsibility norm

Conflict & Peacemaking

Social dilemmas/Social traps

Mirror-image perceptioms: a cognitive bias where conflicting parties view themselves as moral, peaceful, and just, while simultaneously viewing the other side as evil, aggressive, and wrong

Superordinate goals: shared goals that override differences among ppl and require their cooperation

• can reduce hostility