Prosocial behavior is behavior intended to benefit others—behaviors such as helping, comforting, sharing, cooperating, reassuring, defending, and showing concern (Fiske, p. 336). There are a number of reasons why people engage in prosocial behavior. Most times prosocial behaviors are acquired during childhood and adolescence years by adults that encourage them to share, act kindly, have respect and help others. Prosocial behavior is influenced by a number of factors.
The Altruism conceptually underlies the subset of prosocial behavior that is “motivated mainly out of a consideration of another’s needs rather than one’s own (Fiske, p.336)”. Reciprocal Altruism which occurs in short term interactions is doing something nice for someone so that …show more content…
Diffusion of responsibility was best explained by social psychologist Bibb Latané and John Darley when they popularized the socio psychological phenomenon following the infamous 1964 Kitty Genovese murder in New York City. Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death outside her apartment while not one of the 38 bystander’s who observed the crime did anything to assist (Hogg, p.242). The Bystander Effect as explained by Latane and Darley is that diffusion of responsibility is “ that the greater the number of eyewitnesses, the less each witness felt responsible to help (Hogg, pg 242)”. Latane and Darley states the degree of responsibility a bystander feels is dependent on three things; First, whether or not they feel the person is deserving of help. Second, the competence of the bystand and third, the relationship between the bystander and the victim …show more content…
242). Second, when individuals assume that others have already taken responsibility; “bystanders may have thought that others had also heard the screams and that someone else had already called (Hogg, p.242). Third, they will not be forced to take responsibility; ‘Something should be done, but why should I be the one to do it? (Hogg, p.242)
According to the decision model of bystander intervention, 5 steps to determine helping verses not helping is determined by making a set of decisions (Fiske, p.12 & 242):
Intervening was dependent on noticing the emergency. We must first notice that something isn’t right is happening. If we are not paying attention to our surroundings we will not be able to notice that an emergency is on arise.
Interpreting it as a situation where help was needed We notice that something isn’t right and we must then assess the situation to ensure that it is in fact an emergency.
Accepting responsibility for intervening oneself. There is an emergency; we must now decide if it’s our responsibility to
The Altruism conceptually underlies the subset of prosocial behavior that is “motivated mainly out of a consideration of another’s needs rather than one’s own (Fiske, p.336)”. Reciprocal Altruism which occurs in short term interactions is doing something nice for someone so that …show more content…
Diffusion of responsibility was best explained by social psychologist Bibb Latané and John Darley when they popularized the socio psychological phenomenon following the infamous 1964 Kitty Genovese murder in New York City. Kitty Genovese was stabbed to death outside her apartment while not one of the 38 bystander’s who observed the crime did anything to assist (Hogg, p.242). The Bystander Effect as explained by Latane and Darley is that diffusion of responsibility is “ that the greater the number of eyewitnesses, the less each witness felt responsible to help (Hogg, pg 242)”. Latane and Darley states the degree of responsibility a bystander feels is dependent on three things; First, whether or not they feel the person is deserving of help. Second, the competence of the bystand and third, the relationship between the bystander and the victim …show more content…
242). Second, when individuals assume that others have already taken responsibility; “bystanders may have thought that others had also heard the screams and that someone else had already called (Hogg, p.242). Third, they will not be forced to take responsibility; ‘Something should be done, but why should I be the one to do it? (Hogg, p.242)
According to the decision model of bystander intervention, 5 steps to determine helping verses not helping is determined by making a set of decisions (Fiske, p.12 & 242):
Intervening was dependent on noticing the emergency. We must first notice that something isn’t right is happening. If we are not paying attention to our surroundings we will not be able to notice that an emergency is on arise.
Interpreting it as a situation where help was needed We notice that something isn’t right and we must then assess the situation to ensure that it is in fact an emergency.
Accepting responsibility for intervening oneself. There is an emergency; we must now decide if it’s our responsibility to