PSY BEH 104S Chapter 15: CHAPTER 15
8 Mar 2016
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Document Summary
There are instances where people make huge sacrifices to help someone else i. e. attack on the twin tower, etc. Altruism: unselfish behavior that benefits others without regard to consequences for the self. Asked people to indicate across everyday context + life/death situation, whether they would offer help to brother, nephew, cousin, no relation. Likely to help those who are a close relative in both situation. Tendency very low for those who are strangers. More likely to help relatives who are younger over old, healthy over sick. Objective vs. subjective benefits: i couldn"t have lived with myself if i didn"t help. Costly signaling theory: act of altruism in the presence of other people, benefit a person can get when they behave altruistically publically, status and respect from other people. Given to those who engage in exceptional acts of heroism. No full measure of responsibility exists between rescuer and the rescuer element of choice.
