Understanding Prosocial Behavior

• Prosocial behavior is defined as actions by individuals that help others without expecting immediate benefits.
• Prosocial behavior can take various forms, helping a few people or large numbers.

Factors Influencing Prosocial Behavior

Empathy-Altruism

• Empathy is a key factor in prosocial behavior.
• Empathy consists of three components:
  • Emotional aspect involves sharing feelings.
  • Cognitive component involves perceiving others' thoughts accurately.
  • Empathic concern involves feelings of concern for others' well-being.

Negative-State Relief

• People may help others to alleviate their own negative emotional states or distress.

Empathic Joy

• Individuals may experience joy and happiness when they see others succeed.
• This positive emotion can motivate actions that support others' well-being.
• It's crucial for the helper to know their actions had a positive impact.
• High-empathy participants who received feedback about their positive impact were more helpful.

Competitive Altruism

• People may engage in altruistic acts to enhance their social status or gain a competitive edge.

Kin Selection Theory

• People are more likely to help those they are closely related to.
• Participants in studies preferred to help close relatives over distant relatives or non-relatives in emergencies.
• Younger relatives are more likely to be helped as they have more reproductive years ahead.

Responding to an Emergency - The Bystander Effect

• The bystander effect is the diffusion of responsibility among strangers witnessing an emergency
• According to the bystander effect, the greater the number of strangers present decreases the likelihood of any one person offering help.
• Individuals are more likely to help if the person needing help is part of their ingroup.
• Participants were less likely to help, and took longer to do so, when they believed more bystanders were present.

Steps in Deciding to Offer Help in Emergency Situations

• Noticing the event
• Interpreting the event as an emergency
• Assuming responsibility
• Knowing how to help
• Deciding to provide help

Factors That Increase Prosocial Behavior

• Similarity to the victim
• Exposure to prosocial models
• Playing prosocial video games
• Experiencing feelings of awe
• Lower socioeconomic class

Factors That Reduce Helping Behavior

• Social exclusion
• Darkness and anonymity
• Considering the economic value of time

Role of Emotions in Prosocial Behavior

• Positive emotions can increase helping behavior
• Negative emotions can also increase helping; this is consistent with the negative-state relief model
• Observing kindness in others can trigger feelings of elation and increase prosocial behavior.
• Witnessing acts of kindness is "contagious" and can be encouraged.

Prosocial Behavior and Aggression

• Prosocial behavior is motivated by a desire to benefit the recipient, while aggression aims to harm
• Prosocial actions can sometimes enhance status and reputation, while aggressive behavior can sometimes aim to motivate rather than harm.
• Prosocial actions produce benefits, but can sometimes harm self-esteem while aggression results in harm, but may be beneficial to health
• Individuals who engage in aggressive and prosocial behavior can be attractive due to assertiveness and social skills.
• These behaviors are complex and can overlap in motivations, effects, and the individuals who engage in them.

Indian Knowledge System: Seva, Dana, and Karuna

• Seva means selfless service
• Dana means Generosity
• Karuna means compassion
• These concepts are important in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism
• Compassion, selflessness, and service guide moral conduct and spiritual growth.