PSY 530 8-2 Helping behaviors

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Feb 20, 2024

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PSY 530-X2229 Social Psychology 8-2 Short Paper: Predictors of Helping Behavior Amber Brown Dr. Laura Green 01/27/24

Introduction Why do we help other people? Our need to help people can be shaped by a number of things rather it be psychological, social, evolutionary or cultural factors that drive us. Some considerations that have been taken into account of why we help others can be reciprocal altruism meaning that helping others increases the likelihood of someone reciprocating the same good deed. Empathy is when you have some kind of understanding or can relate to someone you feel a sense of responsibility to help them. Sometimes helping people is what was instilled in us if you grew up knowing that it is the right thing to do no matter what the consequences you feel obligated to help because that is how you were raised. Societal expectations or conforming to social norms motivates helping behavior in individuals. One of the longest debates in the psychological community revolves around whether genetics or environmental factors shape helping behavior. This paper will support the evidence of which is more likely to influence why we chose to help others. Statement of Opinion The environment and genetics both contribute to an individual's behavior and rather or not they chose to help or intervene in particular situations. In my opinion I believe environmental factors as it relates to prosocial behavior are determinants on why we choose to help others. How we are raised from birth to adulthood plays a major role in who we are, our moral values, our understanding of right and wrong and our personality. If we are taught to help when we can or told God will bless you for what you do for others, they are likely to develop morals and values

towards helping behaviors. I also believe that we are driven by empathy and societal influences as we inherent compassion for the well-being of individuals and communities. Reasoning Based on environmental factors that play such a major role in shaping one’s behavior and willingness to help others, One Psychologist emphasized the impact of observational learning and environmental reinforcement on the development of prosocial behavior ( Bandura, A. 1978). Bandura’s social learning theory contributed to this development. Conforming to cultural and societal norms contributes to the variation of helping behavior in different societies ( Asch S. 2006). Parental modeling and development of helping behavior can shape prosocial tendencies in children ( Rushton, J. P. 1976). When given positive environmental influences like a supportive family it can help develop empathy and altruism. The expectation that if I help a person now, they will help me in the future is a form of social exchange that influences one’s decision to help others. Economic and environmental factors can also play a role in shaping helping behavior. This means that situational factors such as having available resources and economic/financial conditions can also impact someone’s ability and willingness to help. Research and Example Examples to support my claim on environmental factors would first start with the influence of parental modeling and reinforcement in the development of social behavior would be if a child witness their parents positive environmental cues such as showing acts of kindness to others can help a child internalize helping norms ( Rushton, J. P. 1976) ... When talking about conforming to cultural norms, one research study emphasizes cultural collectivism and how it may foster a higher acceptance of prosocial actions due to communal focus ( Oishi, S., &

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Graham, J. 2010. Conforming to social norms and group expectations demonstrates the impacts on social norms and the decisions to help ( Asch S. 2006). An example of this would be if a person drops a stack of paper and someone is helping to adapt to social norms makes others stop and assist in collecting the papers as well. Social psychologists’ studies reciprocity and social exchange which shows the expectations of assistance in the future for immediate assistant one has currently provided. This highlights the transactional nature of prosocial behaviors. An example of that would be if a friend called and needed a jump for their car when you need help you would ask them to return that favor in some way. An example of economic and environmental factors would be if an individual is at a disadvantage economically, meaning they lack resources to help they may be less willing to offer assistance to others. Oppositional Reasoning Genetic factors in shaping helping behavior are said to be more dominant than environmental factors. It is suggested that certain genetic predispositions that are related to empathy or altruism drives individuals to engage in helping behavior. One study suggests that genetic factors contribute to individual differences in the ability to understand and share the feelings of others ( Danielsbacka, M., Tanskanen, A. O., & Rotkirch, A. 2015). There is another study that states neural mechanisms are associated with empathy and helping behavior. This suggests that certain regions of the brain mediate empathetic responses ( Carr, L., Iacoboni, M., Dubeau, M.-C., Mazziotta, J. C., & Lenzi, G. L. 2003). Certain variations in the oxytocin receptor gene are likely to engage in prosocial behavior. The study tells us that this genetic link can show how specific genetic factors can have the tendency to help others though impact of empathy and social boding (Jean Decety. 2012). Counter

The counter to oppositional reasoning for me suggests that environmental factors such as social norms, cultural influences, social learning and economic conditions shape personality and help behavior. People learn to help by observing their environment and those around them. Just as kids pick up behaviors through interactions from their peers so do all of us. The statement monkey see monkey do applies to how environmental factors shape us and how we react to certain situations. Throughout different cultures and societies it is human behavior to learn from experience and adapt to what we believe is normal and positive.

References Asch S. (2006). Asch Conformity Effect . Elsevier Science & Technology. Bandura, A. (1978). The self system in reciprocal determinism. American Psychologist , 33 (4), 344–358. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1037/0003-066X.33.4.344 Carr, L., Iacoboni, M., Dubeau, M.-C., Mazziotta, J. C., & Lenzi, G. L. (2003). Neural Mechanisms of Empathy in Humans: A Relay from Neural Systems for Imitation to Limbic Areas. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America , 100 (9), 5497–5502. Danielsbacka, M., Tanskanen, A. O., & Rotkirch, A. (2015). Impact of Genetic Relatedness and Emotional Closeness on Intergenerational Relations. Journal of Marriage & Family , 77 (4), 889– 907. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1111/jomf.12206 Jean Decety. (2012). Empathy : From Bench to Bedside . The MIT Press. Oishi, S., & Graham, J. (2010). Social Ecology: Lost and Found in Psychological Science. Perspectives on Psychological Science , 5 (4), 356–377. McManus, R. M., Mason, J. E., & Young, L. (2021). Re-examining the role of family relationships in structuring perceived helping obligations, and their impact on moral evaluation. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology , 96 . https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104182 Rodrigues, A. M. M. (2014). Social evolution in class-structured populations . Rushton, J. P. (1976). Socialization and the altruistic behavior of children. Psychological Bulletin , 83 (5), 898–913. https://doi-org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1037/0033-2909.83.5.898

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Sharma, A., & Malhotra, D. (2003). Social norms in different personality and gender groups. Studia Psychologica , 45 (1), 65–74

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