SP Altruism and Aggression Lesson

Learning Target:

  • Describe the variables that contribute to altruism and aggression. 

Courtesy of the AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2024. (n.d.). Links to an external site.

                                                                  

Understanding Prosocial Behavior in Psychology

Altruism, which refers to selfless behavior, is a key aspect of prosocial behavior. While some researchers suggest that people act in prosocial ways due to incurring social debt, the social reciprocity norm and the social responsibility norm play a role in explaining this behavior. Altruism involves showing selfless concern for the welfare of others and acting in a way that benefits them without expecting anything in return, even if it comes at a personal cost. This type of behavior is often motivated by empathy, compassion, or a sense of duty to help others. In everyday interactions, altruistic behavior can be observed through simple acts of kindness like holding the door open for someone, offering a compliment, lending a helping hand, or just being a listening ear for someone in need. These small gestures can have a significant impact on others and contribute to building a more compassionate and supportive community.

Bystander Effect

In a tragic event in March 1964, Kitty Genovese, a 28-year-old woman, was subjected to three separate attacks over thirty minutes while being observed by 38 onlookers in their high-rise apartments. Shockingly, none of the 38 witnesses contacted the police until after the assaults had concluded and Kitty had tragically lost her life. This lack of intervention left experts perplexed, prompting questions about why no one took action to aid Kitty. Research indicates that individuals often extend help to others, even when it involves significant personal risk. Altruism, the act of assisting others without expecting personal gain, is a fundamental aspect of prosocial behavior, whether the motivation behind the assistance is self-serving or selfless.

 

Bystander Effect

Factors that Increase the Likelihood of Bystanders Helping

Factors that Decrease the Likelihood of Bystanders Helping
  • "Feel good, do good" effect - if you feel good you are more likely to extend help.
  • Feeling guilty - If we feel guilty about something, we are more likely to help.
  • Seeing others help - when we see others who know what to do, we are more likely to help.
  • Perception of help needed - if we feel those needing help are at no fault of their own, we are more likely to help.
  • Knowing how to help - knowledge of how to help is power.
  • Having a personal relationship - if we know the person, we are more likely to help them.
  • The presence of other bystanders - when others is present, we diffuse the responsibility. Known as the bystander effect.
  • A large city or small town - Either of these conditions decreases the likelihood that we will help.
  • Vague situations - if we do not know what is going on we are less likely to intervene.
  • Personal costs outweighing benefits - If the potential cost to us outweighs the benefits we are less likely to help.

 

Learn more about the bystander effect in the video below.

 

Aggression

Aggression, in psychology, holds a specific definition that differs from everyday usage. In psychology, aggression is defined as any physical or verbal behavior intentionally aimed at causing harm to another person either physically or emotionally. This behavior can be influenced by various factors, including biological, psychological, and socio-cultural elements. The nature versus nurture debate comes into play when exploring the roots of aggression. From a nature perspective, aggression can be linked to hormones, genetic predispositions, and instinctual drives. On the other hand, the nurture side suggests that aggression may be learned through social roles, cultural influences, and environmental factors.

Biological factors can significantly impact our propensity for aggressive behavior. Our genetic makeup, neural activity in specific brain regions, and biochemical substances like alcohol or heightened testosterone levels can influence our threshold for engaging in aggressive actions. Psychology emphasizes that aggression is a multifaceted behavior that arises from a complex interplay between our biological predispositions and life experiences. Factors such as frustration, the frustration-aggression principle, reinforcement of aggressive behaviors, exposure to aggressive role models, and poor impulse control can all contribute to the manifestation of aggression. Additionally, exposure to media violence, including sexual violence and violent video games, can further fuel aggressive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in individuals.

Understanding these various components sheds light on the intricate nature of aggression as a psychological phenomenon, highlighting the importance of considering both biological and environmental factors when examining aggressive behaviors.

 

Watch the video below to learn more about aggression.

 

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