The idea that natural selection favors helping genetic relatives as it ensures the survival of oneself and the chance of one's genes flourishing in future generations.

Kin Selection

Groups that value altruism/have altruistic members are more likely to survive than other social groups.

Group Selection

Reciprocity is a social preference where individuals are inclined to be kind and helpful towards those who have been kind and helpful to them, and conversely, to withhold kindness and assistance from those who have not.

Reciprocity

Reciprocity is a social principle centered on mutual exchange. In the context of relationships, it manifests as a 'give and take,' where individuals contribute with the expectation of receiving benefits in return. This dynamic is crucial for relationship formation, as people are more inclined to like and interact with those who reciprocate positive feelings and actions.

Evolutionary psychologists attempted to explain prosocial behavior in three ways: kin selection, the norm of reciprocity, and group selection.

New York University

- Instinct and Genes
- Social Exchange
- Empathy and Altruism

Basic Motives Underlying Prosocial Behavior: Theories

Prosocial behavior is defined as any voluntary action performed with the specific intention of benefiting another person or group. It raises the question of whether such acts are motivated solely by personal benefits, like feeling good, or if other reasons, such as altruism, are at play.

Prosocial Behavior

Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Akert, R. M., & Sommers, S. R. (2018). Revel Social Psychology (10th ed.). Pearson.

Revel Social Psychology

We make decisions (such as helping others) in order to maximize our rewards and minimize our costs.

Social Exchange theory

Theory of Prosocial Behavior: Instinct & Genes

Batson (1991) proposed that when we feel empathy for others, we will try to help out of purely altruistic reasons.

Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis

- Environment
- Residential Mobility
- Number of Bystanders (Bystander Effect)
- Effects of Media

Situational Determinants of Prosocial Behavior

- Personality
- Gender
- Culture
- Religion
- Mood

Personal Qualities that Influence Prosocial Behavior

Research suggests that high-dose psilocybin can lead to significant and lasting positive changes in interpersonal relationships, gratitude, life's meaning, forgiveness, spiritual experiences, and more. These effects were influenced by intense psilocybin experiences and regular spiritual practices, suggesting the potential for improved social attitudes and psychological well-being.

Prevalent increase in Prosocial behaviors due to psilocybin mystical experiences in combination with meditation 

Allyship refers to an act on behalf of an individual with privilege to work with marginalized communities to help dismantle existing systems that impede communities' fundamental rights, opportunities and access, and potential to flourish in society. 

Allyship

Which of the following are examples of prosocial behavior?

Altruism is a social preference where an individual is willing to bear a cost to benefit someone else. This behavior is exemplified by acts of self-sacrifice, such as individuals risking or giving their lives for others during wars or natural disasters, even when the beneficiaries are complete strangers.

Altruism

An example of helping behavior, an interpersonal topic in social psychology, is a group of people collaborating to push a stalled car up a steep, unpaved road.

Example of Helping Behavior

An example of widespread prosocial behavior can be seen in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this crisis, many individuals, including educators and healthcare workers, made extraordinary efforts to help and support others, illustrating how people can work together for the common good.

Example of Prosocial Behavior: Mutual Aid During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A photograph from the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks shows two individuals covered in dust and debris. One person is actively supporting and helping the other, illustrating an instance of prosocial behavior amidst a crisis.

Example of Prosocial Behavior: Aftermath of the 9/11 Attacks

Helping behaviors can be driven by two contrasting motivations. Altruistic helping is selfless, stemming from genuine empathy for others. In contrast, egoistic helping is motivated by self-interest, such as the desire to feel good about oneself or receive social rewards.

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