Pro-Social Behaviour

• This is a voluntary behaviour that is intended to benefit another person, group of society.

  Everyday acts of helping others that involves personal cost to the helper.

  Eg: opening a door, donating to charity, volunteering
• There are four factors that influence pro-social behaviour:

  • Reciprocity principle
  • Social responsibility
  • Personal characteristics
  • Altruism
• Noticing the situation

  People in a group are more likely to be focused on their interactions with each other than on their surroundings, as compared with when they are alone.

  Noticing an incident that is different or unusual and may involve someone needing help is a necessary first step in making a helping response.
• Interpreting the situation

  Many situations in which help may be required are ambiguous or unclear. Therefore people cannot always be sure that a helping response is appropriate or required.

  The less ambiguous the situation the more likely an individual will help.
• Taking responsibility

  You are unlikely to intervene and help unless you believe it is your responsibility to do so.

  When someone else is nearby in an emergency situation we may leave the responsibility to them to help 

  Bystander effect: is the tendency for individuals to be less likely to help another person when other bystanders are present, or believed to be present, as compared with when they are alone.
• Reciprocity Principle

  • An unwritten rule that we should give what we receive or expect to receive (reciprocate) states we should help others who help us
  • E.g. help a friend with their h/w you would expect them to help you out when you need  a favour
• Social Responsibility

  • Help those who need help because it is our duty or responsibility to do so.
  • Eg give up your seat on a bus, help someone with directions
  • (we are however selective with social Responsibility norm – more likely to help victims of bushfires, flood or burglary because they are not responsible for bringing about their hardship)
• Personal Characteristics

  
• Altruism

  • Refers to pro-social behaviour focused on the wellbeing or benefit of others without any thought to personal gain or reward
  • Altruism involves no personal gain, reward or benefit
  • Genuine altruism – a passer-by who puts themselves in front of a gunman to save another (element of personal risk)