PSY 171 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Prosocial Behavior, Reinforcement, Preadolescence
Document Summary
Altruism & moral development: prosocial behavior: actions (eg. , sharing, helping, comforting) that benefit others, altruism: concern for welfare of others that is expressed through prosocial acts. Motivational/intentional altruism: beneficial acts for which actor"s primary motive is to address others" needs. Behavioral altruism: behavior that benefits another, regardless. Theories of altruism of actor"s motives: biological/evolutionary perspective: altruism is instinctive, biologically based. Altruism is adaptive we"re more likely to receive protection & needs if we live together in social units. Altruistic people are likely to survive, pass on genes. Empathy: vicariously experiencing others" emotions biological substrate for altruistic concern. It"s like passing your own genes down: psychoanalytic theory. Norm of social responsibility: we should help others who are dependent on us for assistance. Assume that it"s rewarding in some way since the behavior occurred in the first place. Relieving empathic responses: getting rid of another"s distress relieves your own distress negative reinforcement, we get praised for acting prosocially self-reinforcing.
