Sunday, November 16, 2008

Chapter 11 questions

Prosocial Behavior: Why Do People Help?

1. What is the main goal or perspective of evolutionary psychology? 
to favor genes that promote survival of the individual 
What are the three factors that explain altruism, according to evolutionary theory?
  1. kin selection
  2. norm of reciprocity : if i help you, in future, you'll help me
  3. ability to follow and learn social norms

2. What does social exchange theory say about helping? 
its to max our rewards and min are costs 
helping can be rewarding -
  • investment in future
  • retain mood
  • increase mood
  • social approval 
  • self worth
How is this theory different from evolutionary psychology in its explanation of altruism? 
doesn't trace desire to genetics or assume that desire is genetics based
Be able to recognize examples of rewards and costs associated with helping behaviors.
costs:
  • physical harm
  • time
  • emarassment
People help when benefits outweigh costs

3. What is empathy, 
ability to miszapatos
~~~
and what is the empathy-altruism hypothesis? 
idea that when we feel empathy for a person, we will attempt to help, for altruistic reasons, regardless of what we have to gain -- homeless person

Understand the study by Toi & Batson (1982) described on pp. 349-350 of the text (be sure to understand how the researchers manipulate empathy and pit empathy against a factor designed to manipulate the cost of not helping). Note how some researchers have debated whether empathy-driven helping is truly altruistic or egoistic.
hi empathy - help no matter what the cost- think about how she feels 
lo empathy - help more if you will see her in class- be objective

REVIEW:
3 basic motives for prosocial
  1. evolutionary  psychology : instinctive to promote welfare of those genetically similar to us
  2. social exchange theory: rewards outweigh costs, helping is in self interest
  3. empathy altruism hypothesis: under some conditions, empathy promotes selfless giving
4. Define altruistic personality. 
Qualities that cause an individual to help others in a wide variety of situations
Indicate the limits to predicting helpfulness on the basis of personality and indicate what else we need to know in order to predict how helpful someone will be.
need to also look at pressures, gender, culture, and mood

5. What is the relationship between gender and forms of prosocial behavior? 

Why might males be more likely to help in some situations while females are more likely to help in others? 
men more likely to be heroic, chivalrous, women more likely to help in long term situation (taking to doctor)
How does culture affect helping of ingroup versus outgroup members? 
most are more likely to help ingroup
more firmly drawn in interdependent (eastern) societies- less likley to help outgroup
How do cultural values affect prosocial behavior?
answer

6. How does mood affect helping? Why might both a good mood and a bad mood result in helping behavior? 
feel good do good
Understand the “negative state-relief” hypothesis.
feel bad do good 

7. Why, according to the urban-overload hypothesis, are people in rural environments more helpful than people in urban environments?
theory of people living in cities are constantly being bombarded with stimulation - they keep to themselves to avoid being overwhelmed
How does residential mobility affect the tendency to engage in prosocial behavior?
people who have lived in one place for a while feel more is at stake for them in their community - more likely to help  - this could be why city folk dont help as much , because them move more

8. What is the bystander effect? 
more bystanders = less likely to feel need to help
Understand the “seizure” experiment by Latané & Darley (1970), which will also be discussed in lecture.
Darley and Latane
Siezure
  • IV alone or not
  • DV: who helps within 60 seconds
  • alone: 85%, 100% by 3 min
  • +1 62%, 82% by 6 min
  • +4 31%, 61% by 6

9. Understand the steps in the bystander intervention decision tree. What are the factors or processes that may lead to nonintervention at each step in the decision tree? I.e., what might interfere with intervening at each step?

1
 PAGE 361
  1. notice:distracted, in hurry
  2. 911;pluralistic ignorance, calm faces
  3. assume R;diffusion of R, bystander effect
  4. Know how to help;lack of knowledge (of CPR etc) cant help
  5. implement decision; danger to self, legal concern etc

10. Related to #9, be sure you understand the concepts of 
  • pluralistic ignorance:
    Gillian is sitting in a crowded coffee shop when she hears the squeal of brakes and the crash of metal-on-metal, She looks around and notices that all the other customers remain engrossed in their conversations. Because these cool and calm responses _____, Gillian will be _______
    increase pluralistic ignorance; less likely to assume it’s an emergency situation
  •  diffusion of responsibility: when through bystander or something else, you dont think its your place or responsibilty to help
, and why these factors decrease helping behavior.
1
answer

11. How does the type of relationship one is involved in (communal or exchange) affect helping? Under what conditions might helping a friend threaten one’s self-esteem and reduce helping?
 communal - primary concern is welfare of other - parent-child
exchange :equity concerns

less likely to help a friend - to see them succeed more than you - when the area is more important to you, vital to your self esteem 
12. How might prosocial behavior be increased by applying lessons learned in ch. 11?
call out name
educate
positive psych:L
 How might the overjustification effect limit intrinsic motivation for helping in required community service program?
if they volunteer b/c they have to - less likely to do in future

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