Prosocial Behavior What is Prosocial Behavior? Why do We Help? When do We Help? Who is Most Likely...
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Transcript of Prosocial Behavior What is Prosocial Behavior? Why do We Help? When do We Help? Who is Most Likely...
Prosocial Behavior What is Prosocial Behavior? Why do We Help? When do We Help? Who is Most Likely to Help? Whom do We Help?
Why Do We Help? Evolutionary Perspectives
Kinship selection Preferential helping of genetic relatives, so that
genes held in common will survive. Reciprocal altruism
Helping someone else can increase likelihood of survival because it increases the likelihood that this other person will help you when you need it.
Cooperative group Cooperation among members of a social group
could be innate (especially when the group faces an external threat)
Why Do We Help? Are humans ever truly altruistic –
motivated solely by the desire to increase another’s welfare?
Or are we helpful only for egoistic reasons – motivated by the desire to increase our own welfare?
Why Do We Help?Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis
Prosocial behavior is motivated solely for the purpose of increasing the welfare of the recipient.
Why Do We Help?Negative State Relief Hypothesis
Individuals experiencing negative emotions are motivated to help in order to achieve relief from such emotions.
Why Do We Help?
Perceive otherneeds help
Personaldistress
EgoisticReduction ofown distress
Empathicconcern
AltruisticReduction of
other’s distress
Adopt other’sperspective
yes
no
Emotionalresponse
Type ofMotive
Satisfactionof motive
Based on Bateson, 1991
Why Do We Help?Empathic-Joy Hypothesis
Helping in response to empathy is motivated neither by a selfless concern for the welfare of others, nor by the reduction of personal distress, but rather by the joy one experiences when observing that another person’s needs have been met.
Percentage of participants who helped as a function of empathy and escape conditions (based on Batson et al., 1981)
0102030405060708090
100
High empathy Low empathy
Difficult escapeEasy escape
Results of Batson et al’s (1983) study comparing distressed feelings and ease of victim’s escape on the probability of giving help
When Do We Help? Situational Influences
Bystander Effect The presence of others can reduce the
likelihood that any one individual will offer help.
The greater the number of witnesses, the less likely it is that help will be given.
Five Steps to Helping In An Emergency (Latane & Darley (1970)
Notice thatsomething
is happening
Interpret event As an emergency
Take responsibilityFor providing help
Know how to help
Be able toimplement decision
Provide no helpno
no
no
no no
yes
yes
yes
yes
When Do We Help? (cont.) Pluralistic ignorance
The state in which people mistakenly believe that their own thoughts and feelings are different from those of others, even though everyone’s behaviour is the same. (Interpretation)
When Do We Help? (cont.) Diffusion of Responsibility
The belief that others will or should take the responsibility for providing assistance to a person in need. (Taking Responsibility).
When Do We Help? (cont.) Audience inhibition
Reluctance to help for fear of making a bad impression on observers.
Percentage of participants offering help as a function of perceived time pressure
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Perceived Time Pressure
Ahead of ScheduleOn ScheduleBehind Schedule
LOW HIGH
Costs for Direct Help
Costs forno helpto victim
HIGH
LOW
Direct HelpIndirect help or excuses to enableescaping situation
Variable: Depends on(a) personality and(b) perceived norms
Leaving the scene,ignoring, denial
Who is Most Likely to Help?
Altruistic Personality Empathy and Moral Reasoning Moods and Doing Good Gender and Good Deeds
Amount of helping as a function of moral reasoning and empathy levels (Miller et al., 1996)
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.2
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
Low empathy High empathy
Low other-orientedreasoningHigh other-orientedreasoning