Prosocial Behaviour

Chapter 9 - Prosocial Behavior Objectives

1) An exploration of the bases of prosocial behaviour 2) An examination of the effects of personality, gender, religion, culture, and other variables on prosocial behavior 3) A study of reasons why some people help in an emergency situation while others do not. 4) An evaluation of the nature of heroism and the traits of heroes. 5) A consideration of the measures by which prosocial behaviour might be encouraged

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Chapter 9 Overall Outline

Prosocial Behaviour • Definition of terms • Questions to ponder • 5 Bases of helping behaviour Factors that influence Prosocial Behaviour • Cultural Differences • Personality Variables • Gender Differences • Effects of Religion • Rural-urban differences Bystander Intervention • Factors influencing bystander intervention • Latane-Darley Model • The beneficiary: Who gets helped? • Heroism

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Outline Part 1

ProSocial Behavior • Definition of Terms • Questions to ponder • Bases of Helping Behavior

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Definition of Terms

What are prosocial behaviour and altruism? • Terms are used interchangeable • describe actions that are voluntarily carried out • no expectation of reward • theologians and philosophers traditionally defined altruism as behaviour intended to help others • without expectation of external reward or selfreward

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Questions to Ponder • Why do some people help others for apparently no rewards? (i.e. prosocial behaviour and altruism) • Why do people refuse to help others even in situations that clearly warrant help (i.e. the bystander effect)

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5 Bases of Helping Behaviour

1) “Born Saints” - Prosocial behaviour as an inborn tendency 2) “It’s what’s expected” - Prosocial behaviour and social norms 3) “A good upbringing” - Prosocial behaviour and learning 4) “Feeling good about yourself” Prosocial behaviour and mood 5) “Other people’s shoes” - Prosocial behaviour and empathy

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1) “Born Saints”: Prosocial Behaviour as an inborn tendency...