The Social Psychology Of Prosocial Behavior

Written by four leading researchers in the study of prosocial behavior, this book introduces a new perspective on prosocial behavior for the 21st century. Building on the bystander intervention work that has defined this area since the 1960s, The Social Psychology of Prosocial Behavior examines prosocial behavior from a multilevel perspective that explores the diverse influences that promote actions for the benefit of others and the myriad ways that prosocial actions can be manifested. The authors expand the breadth of the field, incorporating analyses of biological and genetic factors that predispose individuals to be concerned for the well being of others, as well as planned helping such as volunteering and organizational citizenship behavior and cooperative behavior within and between groups. They identify both the common and the unique processes that underlie the broad spectrum of prosocial behavior. Each chapter begins with a question about prosocial behavior and ends with a summary that answers the question. The final chapter summarizes the questions and the answers that research provides. Conceptual models that elaborate on and extend the multilevel approach to prosocial behavior are used to tie these findings together. The book concludes with suggestions for future research. The Social Psychology of Prosocial Behavior addresses the following: *the evolution of altruistic tendencies and other biological explanations of why humans are predisposed to be prosocial; *how the situation and motives that are elicited by these situations affect when and how people help; *the causes and maintenance of long-term helping, such as volunteering; *how prosocial behavior changes over time and the developmental processes responsible for these changes; *the consequences of helping for both the people who provide it and those who receive it; *helping and cooperation within and between groups and the implications of these actions. This accessible text is ideal for advanced courses on helping and altruism or prosocial behavior, taught in psychology, sociology, management, political science, and communication, or for anyone interested in learning more about prosocial behavior in general.

Examines prosocial behavior from a new multilevel perspective, exploring the diverse influences that promote prosocial actions and the ways those actions can be manifested.

The Psychology of Prosocial Behavior provides original contributions that examine current perspectives and promising directions for future research on helping behaviors and related core issues. Covers contributions which deal explicitly with interventions designed to foster out-group helping (and to improve its quality) in real world settings Provides the reader with a cohesive look at helping and prosocial behaviors using a combination of theoretical work with research on interventions in applied settings Examines helping from multiple perspectives in order to recognize the diverse influences that promote actions for the benefit of others Contributors to this volume include cutting-edge researchers using both field studies and laboratory experiments

"The Oxford Handbook of Prosocial Behavior provides a comprehensive review of the current literature contributing to our understanding of when and why people act to benefit others. The field of prosocial behavior encompasses a broad spectrum of activities, ranging from dyadic helping in emergencies, planned helping, volunteerism, and cooperation within and between groups. Taking a multi-level approach, the chapters explore the basic underlying evolutionary, developmental, emotional, cognitive, personality, and social psychological processes that set the stage for and motivate prosocial actions. Consideration is also given to applications to such real-world situations as the encouragement of pro-environmental behavior, the recruitment of participants for medical clinical trials, and the reduction of ethnic conflict and promotion of world peace"--Publisher.

How can social bonds in society be strengthened? How do we learn and develop prosocial behaviour? This comprehensive textbook provides up-to-date coverage of the social phenomenon of prosocial behaviour, incorporating all the major developments in the fields of developmental and social psychology. The first section identifies different forms of prosocial behaviour, including estimates of prevalence in everyday situations and the controversy between biological and cultural perspectives as explanatory models of prosocial behaviour. The second and third sections focus on learning and development, with emphasis on social learning, responsibility, empathy and guilt. The fourth section explores the prevalence of prosocial behaviour, in particular the situational and personality factors which inhibit urgently needed prosocial behaviour. The final section is devoted to practical applications, such as how to increase the likelihood that people will work as volunteers in community organisations and how to heighten the willingness to offer first aid. This book will be an invaluable resource for both undergraduate and postgraduate students of social psychology and sociology, as well as anyone with an interest in social services and voluntary organisations.

The phenomenon of altruism - its causes, its effects and its manifestations - is discussed in this volume. The contributors explore such issues as: the socialization of altruism; volunteering; the effect of helping on the helper; and the effect of help-seeking behaviour on dependence and independence. With anthropological, biological and sociological approaches, this multi-perspective volume is an intriguing resource.