Social Relations: Social Relations: AltruismAltruism

Chapter 16, Lecture 6Chapter 16, Lecture 6“Social traps challenge us to find ways ofreconciling our right to pursue our personalwell-being with our responsibility for the well-being of all.”

- David Myers

An unselfish regard for the welfare of others.

Altruism

Bystander Intervention

The decision-making process for bystander intervention.

Bystander Effect

Tendency of any given bystander to be less

likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.

Bystander EffectResearch shows that we are most likely to help when:

• the person appears to need and deserve help.• the person is in some way similar to us.• we have just observed someone else being helpful.• we are not in a hurry.• we are in a small town or rural area.• we are feeling guilty.• we are focused on others and not preoccupied.• we are in a good mood.

Norms for HelpingSocial Exchange Theory – the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs.Reciprocity Norm – an expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them.Social-Responsibility Norm – an expectation that people will help those dependent upon them.

ConflictConflict is perceived as an

incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas.

The elements of conflict are the same at all levels. People become deeply involved in potentially destructive social processes

that have undesirable effects.

ConflictSocial traps are situations in which the

conflicting parties, by each rationally pursuing their self-interest, become

caught in mutually destructive behavior.

To illustrate, let’s playTo illustrate, let’s playthe “Missiles Game”the “Missiles Game”

Enemy PerceptionsPeople in conflict form diabolical images

(mirror-image perceptions) of one another.

George Bush“Evil”

Saddam Hussein“Wicked Pharaoh”

http://ww

w.cnn.com

http://ww

w.aftonbladet.se

Superordinate Goals are shared goals that override differences among people and require

their cooperation.

Cooperation

Communication and understanding developed through talking to one another. Sometimes it is mediated by a third party.

Syracuse New

spapers/The Im

age Works

Graduated & Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction (GRIT): This is a

strategy designed to decrease international tensions. One side recognizes mutual

interests and initiates a small conciliatory act that opens the door for reciprocation by the

other party.

Communication

“…civilization advances not by culturalisolation – maintaining walls around ethnicenclaves – but by tapping the knowledge, theskills, and the arts that are each culture’slegacy to the whole human race.”

- David Myers

HomeworkCT Questions – Social Relations(10 pts)