Gender and group differences on altruistic behaviours
Alex Bonacci, 3853838
Victoria University
Psychology 2B
At some point in our lives, we may find ourselves in the position of needing the assistance of others- we may also find ourselves in the position to help someone in need. We may scarcely find ourselves questioning our motivations to help someone and act unconsciously. Is the decision to or not to help someone influenced by gender or genetic factors, the empathetic nature of the helper or societal/social influences? When help is offered where there are no foreseeable rewards for their compassion, i This behaviour is described in Batsons (1991) altruism-empathy hypothesis as altruism; a state where the ultimate goal is to increase somebodies …show more content…
In a study to assess gender differences in altruism and helping behaviours, (Monk-Turner et al., 2002) presented a person in need to males and females to discern which sex are more likely to help. The experimenter would drop a stack of books in front of an alone person, suggesting the subject was in need of assistance. They were testing to see how gender, age, race and attire factored into somebodies choice to help another in need and hypothesized above all else, that men would be the most likely to help (especially if the person in need was female). However, they found no significant difference in gender and suggested this could be due to gender roles becoming more ridged; meaning females were equally likely to help both males and females in need (Monk-Turner et al., …show more content…
While there are two opposing findings to discern genders influence on altruistic behaviours presented here, (Turner) found no difference between genders behaviour. However, on a larger scale and more quantitatively reliable, Liley et al’s study on blood donations after a natural disaster showed significant results to conclude that women are more responsive to helping. It is therefore hypothesized that females will be more responsive to help than males. Secondly, as Yoel’s results showed such a higher possibility of groups displaying altruism, we hypothesize for our research into altruism that groups with be more likely than individuals to act altruistically.
References
Batson, C., Batson, J., Slingsby, J., Harrell, K., Peekna, H., & Todd, R. (1991). Empathic joy and the empathy-altruism hypothesis. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 61(3), 413-426.
Lilley, Matthew, and Robert Slonim. 2016. “Gender Differences in Altruism: Responses to a Natural Disaster.” IZA Discussion Paper No. 9657.
Monk-Turner, E., Blake, V., Chniel, F., Forbes, S., Lensey, L., & Madzuma, J. (2002). Helping hands: A study of altruistic behavior. Gender Issues, 20(4), 65-70.
Yoel, Y., Intri, S., Yitzhak, G., Ron, A. (1982). Escape from responsibility and help in emergencies among persons alone or within groups.
Alex Bonacci, 3853838
Victoria University
Psychology 2B
At some point in our lives, we may find ourselves in the position of needing the assistance of others- we may also find ourselves in the position to help someone in need. We may scarcely find ourselves questioning our motivations to help someone and act unconsciously. Is the decision to or not to help someone influenced by gender or genetic factors, the empathetic nature of the helper or societal/social influences? When help is offered where there are no foreseeable rewards for their compassion, i This behaviour is described in Batsons (1991) altruism-empathy hypothesis as altruism; a state where the ultimate goal is to increase somebodies …show more content…
In a study to assess gender differences in altruism and helping behaviours, (Monk-Turner et al., 2002) presented a person in need to males and females to discern which sex are more likely to help. The experimenter would drop a stack of books in front of an alone person, suggesting the subject was in need of assistance. They were testing to see how gender, age, race and attire factored into somebodies choice to help another in need and hypothesized above all else, that men would be the most likely to help (especially if the person in need was female). However, they found no significant difference in gender and suggested this could be due to gender roles becoming more ridged; meaning females were equally likely to help both males and females in need (Monk-Turner et al., …show more content…
While there are two opposing findings to discern genders influence on altruistic behaviours presented here, (Turner) found no difference between genders behaviour. However, on a larger scale and more quantitatively reliable, Liley et al’s study on blood donations after a natural disaster showed significant results to conclude that women are more responsive to helping. It is therefore hypothesized that females will be more responsive to help than males. Secondly, as Yoel’s results showed such a higher possibility of groups displaying altruism, we hypothesize for our research into altruism that groups with be more likely than individuals to act altruistically.
References
Batson, C., Batson, J., Slingsby, J., Harrell, K., Peekna, H., & Todd, R. (1991). Empathic joy and the empathy-altruism hypothesis. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 61(3), 413-426.
Lilley, Matthew, and Robert Slonim. 2016. “Gender Differences in Altruism: Responses to a Natural Disaster.” IZA Discussion Paper No. 9657.
Monk-Turner, E., Blake, V., Chniel, F., Forbes, S., Lensey, L., & Madzuma, J. (2002). Helping hands: A study of altruistic behavior. Gender Issues, 20(4), 65-70.
Yoel, Y., Intri, S., Yitzhak, G., Ron, A. (1982). Escape from responsibility and help in emergencies among persons alone or within groups.