Prosocial behaviour

• Prosocial behavior


  Acting in a way that is beneficial for others
• Bystander behavior


  People who witness events such as emergencies when people need help
• Bystander apathy


  When a person chooses not to help
• Bystander intervention


  When a person chooses to help
• Social factors affecting bystander behaviour


  • The presence of others
  • The cost of helping
• The presence of others

  We are more likely to help someone when we are alone rather than in a group
• When others are present

  The responsibility is shared (diffusion of responsibility)
• The more people present


  The more the responsibility is shared
• The cost of helping


  We weigh up the rewards and costs of helping a person in need
• If the cost of helping is low

  We may decide to help
• If the cost of helping is high


  We may decide not to help
• Dispositional factors affecting bystander behavior

  • Similarity to the victim
  • Expertise
• Similarity to the victim

  If there are a lot of similarities between the bystander and person in need, bystanders are more likely to offer assistance
• If we find it easier to empathise with the victim


  We are more likely to assist them
• Expertise


  If bystanders believe they have the skills to help someone in a specific situation they are more likely to intervene to help
• If bystanders think they lack the necessary expertise

  They may not offer help because they do not know how they can help and fear they may cause more harm than good