Altruism and Prosocial Behavior Week 4 DQ1

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Week 4 DQ1Altruism and Prosocial BehaviorExamine the concept of altruism and altruistic behavior. What does it mean for someone tobehave altruistically? What is gained from this action, and how does it differ from egoisticbehavior? What are some reasons why people would want to help one another, without regardfor personal gain or benefit?In addition, explain the bystander effect.If we all have a genuinedesire to help one another, why is the effect so common?How can we prevent it fromoccurring?When our behavior is motivated purely for the interest of others and not self-interest, we arebeing 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 drivethrough coffee shop each morning before work. On a couple of occasions I went to pay and wastold the car ahead of me paid for my drink. It was not a person I knew, not even someone whosaw who I was. So I have done the same for the car behind me on a couple occasions just tobrighten someone else’s day. Even though I felt good about myself for doing something forsomeone else, my true goal was to help out another person. Another example: my sister justgave birth to her first baby; they are going home today from the hospital after being there fortwo nights. Last night, I stayed up a bit later and fixed them some dinner and dropped it off ather house so they would have a nice, home-cooked meal without having to worry about makingit themselves on their first day back home. I did not do this for any self-recognition, justbecause 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-beingand no one else’s.If an individual does something nice for someone else, but their intentionsfor doing so are to benefit themselves, that is egoistic behavior. An action may outwardlyappear 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, socialnorm, and empathy are other examples on why we want to help. If an individual does a favorfor their friend, they may then expect to get help in return when the situation arises. Peopletend 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; Steptwo: interpreting an event as an emergency; Step three: taking responsibility for helping; Stepfour: deciding how to help; Step five: helping. Whether an individual follows through with eachstep 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 cantake to reduce the effect from occurring. If we are in or notice an emergency situation, we needto make it noticeable to others such as yelling, flare/flashlight, waving our arms, or signs. It isvery important to make it clear that the situation is an actual emergency. Another great step isto single someone out to help; be specific rather than addressing a crowd. Those steps amongothers would make a large difference.

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