Altruism and Prosocial Behavior Week 4 DQ1
This discussion examines altruism and prosocial behavior, addressing the psychological theories behind helping behavior.
Ethan Wilson
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Week 4 DQ1
Altruism and Prosocial Behavior
Examine the concept of altruism and altruistic behavior. What does it mean for someone to
behave altruistically? What is gained from this action, and how does it differ from egoistic
behavior? What are some reasons why people would want to help one another, without regard
for personal gain or benefit? In addition, explain the bystander effect. If we all have a genuine
desire to help one another, why is the effect so common? How can we prevent it from
occurring?
When our behavior is motivated purely for the interest of others and not self-interest, we are
being altruistic; “your ultimate goal was the happiness of the other person,” (Feenstra, 2011).
I experienced a good example of altruistic behavior and paid it forward: I usually go to a drive
through coffee shop each morning before work. On a couple of occasions I went to pay and was
told the car ahead of me paid for my drink. It was not a person I knew, not even someone who
saw who I was. So I have done the same for the car behind me on a couple occasions just to
brighten someone else’s day. Even though I felt good about myself for doing something for
someone else, my true goal was to help out another person. Another example: my sister just
gave birth to her first baby; they are going home today from the hospital after being there for
two nights. Last night, I stayed up a bit later and fixed them some dinner and dropped it off at
her house so they would have a nice, home-cooked meal without having to worry about making
it themselves on their first day back home. I did not do this for any self-recognition, just
because I love my family and wanted to help in any way I could.
Egoistic behavior is self-motivated. A person is thinking for their own interests and well-being
and no one else’s. If an individual does something nice for someone else, but their intentions
for doing so are to benefit themselves, that is egoistic behavior. An action may outwardly
appear to be polite and for the other person’s benefit, but if the individual had ulterior motives,
it is not altruistic.
There are many reasons behind altruistic behavior one being just to help. Reciprocity, social
norm, and empathy are other examples on why we want to help. If an individual does a favor
for their friend, they may then expect to get help in return when the situation arises. People
tend to help others when they empathize with the individual. (Feenstra, 2011).
The bystander effect consists of five critical steps. Step one: Noticing an event is occurring; Step
two: interpreting an event as an emergency; Step three: taking responsibility for helping; Step
four: deciding how to help; Step five: helping. Whether an individual follows through with each
step is the key. The effect is common because many individuals will falter at actually helping.
They may feel embarrassed or self-conscious for stepping out. There are several actions we can
take to reduce the effect from occurring. If we are in or notice an emergency situation, we need
to make it noticeable to others such as yelling, flare/flashlight, waving our arms, or signs. It is
very important to make it clear that the situation is an actual emergency. Another great step is
to single someone out to help; be specific rather than addressing a crowd. Those steps among
others would make a large difference.
Altruism and Prosocial Behavior
Examine the concept of altruism and altruistic behavior. What does it mean for someone to
behave altruistically? What is gained from this action, and how does it differ from egoistic
behavior? What are some reasons why people would want to help one another, without regard
for personal gain or benefit? In addition, explain the bystander effect. If we all have a genuine
desire to help one another, why is the effect so common? How can we prevent it from
occurring?
When our behavior is motivated purely for the interest of others and not self-interest, we are
being altruistic; “your ultimate goal was the happiness of the other person,” (Feenstra, 2011).
I experienced a good example of altruistic behavior and paid it forward: I usually go to a drive
through coffee shop each morning before work. On a couple of occasions I went to pay and was
told the car ahead of me paid for my drink. It was not a person I knew, not even someone who
saw who I was. So I have done the same for the car behind me on a couple occasions just to
brighten someone else’s day. Even though I felt good about myself for doing something for
someone else, my true goal was to help out another person. Another example: my sister just
gave birth to her first baby; they are going home today from the hospital after being there for
two nights. Last night, I stayed up a bit later and fixed them some dinner and dropped it off at
her house so they would have a nice, home-cooked meal without having to worry about making
it themselves on their first day back home. I did not do this for any self-recognition, just
because I love my family and wanted to help in any way I could.
Egoistic behavior is self-motivated. A person is thinking for their own interests and well-being
and no one else’s. If an individual does something nice for someone else, but their intentions
for doing so are to benefit themselves, that is egoistic behavior. An action may outwardly
appear to be polite and for the other person’s benefit, but if the individual had ulterior motives,
it is not altruistic.
There are many reasons behind altruistic behavior one being just to help. Reciprocity, social
norm, and empathy are other examples on why we want to help. If an individual does a favor
for their friend, they may then expect to get help in return when the situation arises. People
tend to help others when they empathize with the individual. (Feenstra, 2011).
The bystander effect consists of five critical steps. Step one: Noticing an event is occurring; Step
two: interpreting an event as an emergency; Step three: taking responsibility for helping; Step
four: deciding how to help; Step five: helping. Whether an individual follows through with each
step is the key. The effect is common because many individuals will falter at actually helping.
They may feel embarrassed or self-conscious for stepping out. There are several actions we can
take to reduce the effect from occurring. If we are in or notice an emergency situation, we need
to make it noticeable to others such as yelling, flare/flashlight, waving our arms, or signs. It is
very important to make it clear that the situation is an actual emergency. Another great step is
to single someone out to help; be specific rather than addressing a crowd. Those steps among
others would make a large difference.
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Subject
Psychology