social 3

Introduction

• Welcome to the third social psychology lecture.

• Today's topic: Prosocial Behavior.

• Focus on research related to when and how people help others.

Aims of the Lecture

• Define prosocial behavior.

• Explain factors influencing helping behavior in emergencies.

• Describe who is likely to help and under what conditions.

• Discuss methods to promote helping behavior.

Definition of Prosocial Behavior

• Definition: Any action intended to benefit another person.

• Key aspect: Intention matters, even if the outcome isn’t beneficial.

Emergency Situation Scenario

• Participants asked how many people they would prefer surrounding them in an emergency:

  • Options: 1, 2-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16 or more.

• Majority chose 2-5 people for increased chances of effective help.

Kitty Genovese Case

• Case study of Kitty Genovese:

  • Stabbed in NYC on 03/13/1964, surrounded by potential helpers who did not intervene.

  • Raised questions about the psychology of inaction despite the clear need for help.

• Bystander effect: Presence of others inhibits helping.

Understanding the Bystander Effect

• The more people present in a situation, the less likely anyone is to help.

• Diffusion of Responsibility: Individuals feel less compelled to act when others are around.

Bystander Effect Demonstration

• A video demonstrated the bystander effect through a staged situation where help was needed:

  • Results showed that helping behavior decreased as group size increased.

  • Average time to help decreased significantly when alone versus in a group.

Factors Influencing Helping Behavior

Decision-Making Process in Helping

1. Noticing the Emergency: Attention must be on the situation.

2. Interpreting the Situation: Recognizing the need for help.

3. Assuming Responsibility: Individuals tend to assume others will act.

4. Knowing What to Do: Must feel capable of providing assistance.

5. Evaluating Costs vs. Benefits: Assess risk, legal concerns, and personal benefit of helping.

Empirical Research on Helping

• Many studies reinforce the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility.

• Experimental studies mimic emergency situations (e.g., seizure studies) to analyze helping behavior.

• Results consistently show decreased likelihood of helping as bystander numbers increases.

Person-Situation Interactions in Helping

Influencing Factors on Who Helps

• Helpful Personality: People identified as having a helpful personality are more likely to assist.

• Empathy: Higher levels of empathy correlate with increased likelihood of helping behavior.

• Religion: Individuals adhering to religions that value helping are more active in providing assistance.

• Reciprocity: Having received help oneself increases the likelihood of helping others.

  • Direct reciprocity, upstream, and downstream indirect reciprocity are examples of this phenomenon.

Group Dynamics in Helping

• In-group Favoritism: Individuals are more likely to help those who share similarities (e.g., team affiliation).

• Moral Elevation: Witnessing acts of kindness engenders a desire to help.

Strategies to Increase Helping Behavior

Positive Media Influence

• Engaging with pro-social content (videos, music) increases helping behavior in real-life situations.

Education and Awareness

• Learning about the principles of the bystander effect and prosocial behavior can lead to increased helping rates.

  • Study showed those educated on the bystander effect were more likely to assist in following situations.

Recent Findings in Helping Behavior

• Moral elevation is stronger when the helper is from one’s in-group.

• Physical attractiveness can lead to a perceived likelihood of helpful behavior due to the halo effect.

Conclusion & Reflection

• Reflect on:

  • What defines prosocial behavior.

  • The decision tree for helping.

  • The situational and personal influences on helping behavior.

  • Strategies for promoting helping in society.