Prosocial behavior ppt final

PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR

What is Pro Social Behavior?

voluntary behavior intended to benefit another, consists of actions which benefit other people or society as a whole, such as helping, sharing, donating, co-operating, and volunteering

It is central to the well-being of social groups across a range of scales

empathy is also the most important factor leading to pro social behavior

Attention to prosocial behavior in psychology originated with McDougall (1908), who argued that prosocial

behavior is the result of “tender emotions” created by the parental instinct, but

most current research has its roots in lay and scientific reactions to the nonresponsive bystanders in the brutal murder of Katherine “Kitty” Genovese in 1964.

Bystander effect?

The term bystander effect refers to the phenomenon in which the greater the number of people present, the less likely people are to help a person in distress. When an emergency situation occurs, observers are more likely to take action if there are few or no other witnesses

It has now evolved to encompass a broad range of biological, motivational, cognitive, and social processes

Why do we help?

Internal factors External factors

Theories on Prosocial Behavior1. Empathy-Altruism

actions may be motivated by empathy – capacity to recognize emotions that are being experienced by another sentient or fictional being

Altruism: Behavior that reflects an unselfish concern for the welfare of others

2. Negative state Relief model

human beings have an innate drive to reduce negative moods

negative mood increases helpfulness because helping others can reduce one's own bad feelings (Baumann, Cialdini, & Kenrick, 1981).

3. Kin selection theory

Kin selection is an evolutionary theory that proposes that people are more likely to help those who are blood relatives because it will increase the odds of gene transmission to future generations

4. Reciprocal Altruism

altruism can be favored as long as the altruist receives a reciprocal benefit that is greater than its initial cost. 

Volunteering

Have you ever volunteered before?

Biological benefits of Volunteering (Video)

happiness and health have consistently found a strong connection through volunteering

a conscious focus on gratitude led to reductions in negative affect and increases in optimistic appraisals, positive affect, offering emotional support, sleep quality, and well-being

Happier people are also naturally kinder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEyyVQga3jM

Thank you