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Prosocial Behavior
Department of Psychology, Grand Canyon University
PSY: 362
, 2
Prosocial Behavior
Prosocial behavior is something that individuals experience every day. It can be
experienced by acting out the behavior or receiving the behavior. Prosocial behavior is behavior
that is acted out in order to benefit others (Gilovich, et al., 2018). Prosocial behaviors can be
used out of selfless desires or they can be used out of selfish desires. When prosocial behaviors
are performed selflessly, the behavior is classified as being altruistic (Gilovich, et al., 2018).
When prosocial behaviors are performed selfishly, the behavior is classified as being egoistic
(Gilovich, et al., 2018). This essay will dive into altruism, egoism, how they compare, as well as
the idea of pure altruism.
Altruistic VS Egoistic Behavior
Altruism
Altruism is the act of helping someone else in a selfless manner (Gilovich, et al., 2018).
Altruistic acts are not performed because of feelings of duty, loyalty, or religious purposes.
People often use altruism in their every-day lives. There are different types of altruism. These
types are genetic altruism, reciprocal altruism, group-selected altruism, and pure altruism (Zhou,
et al., 2019). Altruism can be done in minor and drastic ways. Drastic examples of altruism
include a person giving up his or her life for another or donating thousands of dollars to a
charity. Minor examples of altruism include holding open the door for someone or giving money
or food to a homeless person.
Egoism
Egoism is the idea that suggests that behaviors are motivated by self-interest (Gilovich, et
al., 2018). Like altruism, there are different types of egoism. These types include psychological
egoism, ethical egoism, and rational egoism ("Egoism (Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy),"
Prosocial Behavior
Department of Psychology, Grand Canyon University
PSY: 362
, 2
Prosocial Behavior
Prosocial behavior is something that individuals experience every day. It can be
experienced by acting out the behavior or receiving the behavior. Prosocial behavior is behavior
that is acted out in order to benefit others (Gilovich, et al., 2018). Prosocial behaviors can be
used out of selfless desires or they can be used out of selfish desires. When prosocial behaviors
are performed selflessly, the behavior is classified as being altruistic (Gilovich, et al., 2018).
When prosocial behaviors are performed selfishly, the behavior is classified as being egoistic
(Gilovich, et al., 2018). This essay will dive into altruism, egoism, how they compare, as well as
the idea of pure altruism.
Altruistic VS Egoistic Behavior
Altruism
Altruism is the act of helping someone else in a selfless manner (Gilovich, et al., 2018).
Altruistic acts are not performed because of feelings of duty, loyalty, or religious purposes.
People often use altruism in their every-day lives. There are different types of altruism. These
types are genetic altruism, reciprocal altruism, group-selected altruism, and pure altruism (Zhou,
et al., 2019). Altruism can be done in minor and drastic ways. Drastic examples of altruism
include a person giving up his or her life for another or donating thousands of dollars to a
charity. Minor examples of altruism include holding open the door for someone or giving money
or food to a homeless person.
Egoism
Egoism is the idea that suggests that behaviors are motivated by self-interest (Gilovich, et
al., 2018). Like altruism, there are different types of egoism. These types include psychological
egoism, ethical egoism, and rational egoism ("Egoism (Stanford encyclopedia of philosophy),"
