Pro Social-Behavior & Aggression
Friday, 14 March, 2025 10:28 PM
What is PSB?
• Definition: Voluntary actions to help others, possibly at a cost to oneself (Eisenberg & Mussen,
1989).
• Examples: Sharing, comforting, rescuing, helping.
Goals Behind PSB
• Self-focused: Reduce personal distress or gain approval.
• Other-focused: Benefit others.
Why is PSB Important?
• Promotes harmony, cooperation, and positive social environments.
• Maintains social order and cohesion.
✅ Examples of PSB in Action
• Obeying rules
• Helping society function
• Cooperating with others
• Building relationships
• Increasing social capital
Motivations for PSB
1. Self-interest
2. Reciprocity (direct & indirect)
3. Social responsibility
4. Conformity (norms of fairness)
5. Rule of law
6. Altruism – selfless help for fulfilment
Question to ponder: Is true altruism actually selfish?
Influences on PSB
Factor Influence on PSB
Rewards Encourages repeat behavior
Costs Less likely if helping is too "expensive" (time, danger)
Relatedness More help for those similar/in-group
Emotion - Positive mood → more helping
- Negative mood → less helping (unless it's mild and situation is clear)
Altruism
• Definition: Helping out of selfless compassion, no reward expected.
• Debate: Is it truly selfless if it brings internal satisfaction?
Empathy & Helping
• Empathy: Feeling others' emotions; drives helping behavior.
• Empathy-Altruism Model:
○ We feel distress (shock, alarm) or empathy (compassion, concern).
○ Empathy leads to a motivation to reduce another’s suffering.
Week 9 Page 1
Friday, 14 March, 2025 10:28 PM
What is PSB?
• Definition: Voluntary actions to help others, possibly at a cost to oneself (Eisenberg & Mussen,
1989).
• Examples: Sharing, comforting, rescuing, helping.
Goals Behind PSB
• Self-focused: Reduce personal distress or gain approval.
• Other-focused: Benefit others.
Why is PSB Important?
• Promotes harmony, cooperation, and positive social environments.
• Maintains social order and cohesion.
✅ Examples of PSB in Action
• Obeying rules
• Helping society function
• Cooperating with others
• Building relationships
• Increasing social capital
Motivations for PSB
1. Self-interest
2. Reciprocity (direct & indirect)
3. Social responsibility
4. Conformity (norms of fairness)
5. Rule of law
6. Altruism – selfless help for fulfilment
Question to ponder: Is true altruism actually selfish?
Influences on PSB
Factor Influence on PSB
Rewards Encourages repeat behavior
Costs Less likely if helping is too "expensive" (time, danger)
Relatedness More help for those similar/in-group
Emotion - Positive mood → more helping
- Negative mood → less helping (unless it's mild and situation is clear)
Altruism
• Definition: Helping out of selfless compassion, no reward expected.
• Debate: Is it truly selfless if it brings internal satisfaction?
Empathy & Helping
• Empathy: Feeling others' emotions; drives helping behavior.
• Empathy-Altruism Model:
○ We feel distress (shock, alarm) or empathy (compassion, concern).
○ Empathy leads to a motivation to reduce another’s suffering.
Week 9 Page 1
