01:830:321 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: The Selfish Gene, Reciprocal Altruism, Prosocial Behavior

• School: Rutgers University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: 01:830:321
• Professor: K.Howansky

Document Summary

Prosocial behavior- actions intended to benefit others. The selfish gene- our sole purpose is to make sure our offspring stick around and survive. By helping others, it is working against evolutionary behavior. Tendency to help people we share genes with; strongest when you are biologically closer to them. Reciprocal altruism- helping someone else can be your best interest in the long term; you"re helping someone else with the expectation that you will be helped in return. Increases the likelihood that you will be helped in return. If you help mark and mark helps you, both you and mark increase chances of survival and reproduction. Empathy- understanding or vicariously experiences another"s perspective and feeling sympathy and compassion for that individual. Perspective taking- trying to see the world through someone else"s eyes. Empathic concern- other oriented feelings such as sympathy, compassion, and tenderness. Areas of brain associated with reward are activated when people engage in prosocial behavior.