Psychology 2410A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Ingroups And Outgroups, David Buss, Stat4
Document Summary
Prosocial behaviour defined: prosocial behaviour: behaviour intended to benefit someone. Sharing, donating, helping, comforting, rescuing, defending, expressing sympathy. Altruism: putting others needs above everything else, including your own needs: evolutionary functions of prosocial behaviour. Prosocial behaviour helps create and maintain productive groups that provide safety and resources necessary to survive and reproduce successfully. Necessary for successful social life (versus every person for self) So, is prosocial behaviour actually used for selfish reasons: development of prosocial behaviour. Apes & young children both will help. Has deep evolutionary roots (chimps do it to some extent) By age 3, more targeted (prefer friends; those who reciprocate) From 8 years, allocate more resources to in-group than out-group members. Chimps don"t share: in early childhood process of civilizing children begins. E. g. , shoes off in house; napkin in lap; no eye contact with higher- status people (korea) Under 1 year, difficult to behave prosocially due to motor constraints.