PSYC1001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 26: Physical Attractiveness, Social Proof, Pluralistic Ignorance
2 Jul 2018
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8/05/2018 Interpersonal Processes – Prosocial Behaviour and Social Relationships
Prosocial behaviour – behaving in a way that is good for other people or for society as a
whole – acts that are positively valued by society (Vaughan & Hogg, 2014)
It is following societal rules and helping others
Helping behaviour – acts that are intentionally benefit someone else, it is not if the act is
done accidentally or not for the given benefit for someone else (e.g. giving money to the
poor)
Altruism – prosocial behaviours that help other people even when there is no apparent
personal gain and when there are potential costs to the helper (e.g. risking your life to save
another)
Evolutionary social psychology:
oKin selection – more likely to help someone who is related to us, someone who has
similar genes to us
oReciprocity – we help others now so that later down the track they will return the
favour
oMutually cooperative behaviour – behaviour that is going to benefit the co-operator
and the rest of the group
Social learning theory (Bandura, 1977)
oLearning by direct experience and learning by vicarious experience (modelling or
observational learning) (observing and copying or imitating the behaviour of others)
oWhy? Because of the rewards associated with the behaviour – rewards to the self
(direct experience) or rewards to the model (indirect experience)
oSocial norms about helping CAN be learned and that it IS ADAPTIVE to do so
Social exchange theory
oWhat’s in it for me?
oWe engage in a cost-benefit analysis before we decide to act on behaviour
oRewards/benefits – feel good about oneself; social rewards; monetary rewards; etc.
oCosts – physical (danger, pain); social (embarrassment); time; of not helping (will I
feel guilty if I do not help); etc.
oSocial exchange theory – if the benefits outweigh the costs, they will act on
behaviour
Individual differences
oPersonality – there is no “prosocial” personality type, does NOT predict behaviour
oGender – depends on the situation, research shows that women are more likely to
help in nurturing kinds of situations, men are more likely to help in situations that
require more risk
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Interpersonal processes prosocial behaviour and social relationships. Prosocial behaviour behaving in a way that is good for other people or for society as a whole acts that are positively valued by society (vaughan & hogg, 2014) It is following societal rules and helping others. Helping behaviour acts that are intentionally benefit someone else, it is not if the act is done accidentally or not for the given benefit for someone else (e. g. giving money to the poor) Altruism prosocial behaviours that help other people even when there is no apparent personal gain and when there are potential costs to the helper (e. g. risking your life to save another) Because of the rewards associated with the behaviour rewards to the self (direct experience) or rewards to the model (indirect experience: social norms about helping can be learned and that it is adaptive to do so.
