Definition and Overview
Eisenberg and Fabes define prosocial behavior as “actions that benefit others, encompassing helping, cooperation, comforting, sharing, and donating.”
Characteristics of Prosocial Behavior
Prosocial behavior is often driven by self-interest. While the primary goal is to assist others, individuals may engage in these actions with the expectation of receiving either internal or external rewards.
For example, helping someone today may lead to that person assisting you in the future, creating a reciprocal relationship that motivates prosocial behavior. Another example could be giving money to a beggar as a way to alleviate guilt from a past wrongdoing, such as stealing money from a friend. In this context, prosocial behavior stems from the desire to alleviate negative emotions and restore a sense of moral integrity.
Different Views on Prosocial Behavior
According to Roy Baumeister’s need to belong theory, humans have a strong, innate drive to form relationships and be accepted by others. This need is one of the fundamental motivations that drive our inclination to help others. When we assist or cooperate with others, we often do so to satisfy this need for social acceptance. Baumeister argues that our inclination to help others is closely tied to our desire for social belonging.
The self-categorization theory suggests that we are more likely to help individuals who belong to our own group because we see ourselves as part of that group. When we identify with a social group, we adopt its values and norms as our own, which leads us to act in ways that support the group and its members, thus maintaining a positive sense of identity.
Mark Leary’s approval motivation theory posits that people engage in prosocial behavior primarily to gain approval and acceptance from their social groups. According to this theory, we help others because we expect that such actions will earn us social rewards, like being accepted and included by those around us. In essence, our desire for social approval drives us to act kindly and supportively towards others.
Prosocial behavior, which involves assisting others, has an important counterpoint: the bystander effect. This phenomenon occurs when the presence of others reduces the likelihood of an individual offering help in an emergency. Instead of stepping in, people hesitate, believing that someone else will take responsibility.
Bystander Effect
The bystander effect refers to the phenomenon where the likelihood of any one person helping in an emergency decreases as the number of bystanders increases. Essentially, when many people witness an emergency, individuals are less inclined to take action. This occurs because being part of a large crowd creates a sense that no single person is responsible for intervening, which is known as diffusion of responsibility.
According to Latané and Darley, a bystander must navigate a five-step decision-making process before helping in an emergency. These steps include:
- Recognizing that something is amiss.
- Interpreting the situation as an emergency.
- Assessing their sense of responsibility to offer assistance.
- Determining the best way to help.
- Taking action based on the decision to intervene.
Determinants of Helping Behavior
| Category | Determinant | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Situational Determinants | Calling for Help | The likelihood of helping increases if someone explicitly calls for assistance. |
| No Risk of Physical Loss | Individuals are more likely to help if they perceive no danger or risk to themselves. | |
| Sufficient Time | Having enough time to respond positively influences the likelihood of helping behavior. | |
| Social Responsibility | A sense of obligation to help others can motivate individuals to take action. | |
| Personal Determinants | Personality | Certain personality traits, such as empathy and agreeableness, can enhance helping behavior. |
| Gender | Gender may influence helping behavior, with societal norms affecting expectations and actions. | |
| Race | Racial and ethnic factors may impact perceptions and willingness to help others. | |
| Emotions | Positive emotions can increase the likelihood of helping, while negative emotions may hinder it. | |
| Guilt Feelings | Experiencing guilt can drive individuals to assist others in order to reduce feelings of remorse. | |
| Personal Likings | Individuals are more inclined to help those they like or have positive feelings toward. | |
| Sociocultural Determinants | Mutual Help | Societal norms that promote mutual assistance can encourage individuals to help others. |
| Similarity | People are more inclined to help those who resemble them. | |
| Social Exchange | The expectation of reciprocity or social rewards can motivate helping behavior. |
Benefits of Prosocial Behavior
A study examining the relationship between prosocial behavior and daily stress revealed that engaging in more prosocial activities was associated with a higher positive mood and lower negative affect in response to daily stress, leading to better overall mental health.
In another study, participants’ life satisfaction was assessed before and after they took part in 10 days of either performing helpful deeds, trying new experiences, or doing nothing. The results indicated that those who participated in helpful deeds or new experiences experienced a boost in life satisfaction, while those in the control group showed no notable changes.
Participating in prosocial activities can enhance an individual’s capacity for empathy and compassion, fostering a more caring and understanding attitude towards others. By engaging in acts that benefit society or other individuals, one can develop a deeper understanding of others’ emotions and a stronger desire to provide assistance and support.
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