PSYC 312

ACTIVITY ASSIGNMENT 3: ANSWER SHEET

Student Name:

Directions: Read each scenario and answer the questions below in the boxes provided (they will
expand to fit your answer). All information needed to answer these questions can be found in this
week’s readings, along with the scenario details themselves. Try to be thorough in your answers,
providing explanations and supporting evidence as necessary. Your answers should be more
than one simple sentence. Aim for a few sentences or a short paragraph for maximum credit.

Scenario A: Steven’s twin sister is being bullied at school. One afternoon, he sees a group of
girls calling her names and trying to take her stuff. Steven steps in and confronts the girls,
causing them to back off. Although he wonders if they are going to start bullying him, he
feels like a hero and feels it is worth the risk to protect his sister.

1. Does Steven’s behavior fit the definition of prosocial behavior? Does it fit the definition of
altruism? For each, be sure to explain why or why not.

Prosocial behavior is any any act done with the goal of benefiting another person, while altruism is
the desire to help another person even at ones own personal cost. Steven’s act is consistent with the
definition of prosocial behavior as he trys to protect his twin sister. Steven’s behavior also succeeds
as altruistic because he willingly opposes the girls despite his own concern that they may start
bullying him.

2. How would kin selection explain Steven’s behavior?

Kin selection is the Idea that acts that help a genetic relative are favored by natural selection. Kin
selection would then suggest that Steven’s behavior is caused by an genetic tendency to help and
protect his twin sister.

3. How would norm of reciprocity explain Steven’s behavior?

The Norm of Reciprocity is the expectation that helping others will increase the chances that they
will help us later. If we are to follow this theory then Steven acted in this way to hopefully get his
twin sister to help him if the need should arise later in the future.

4. How would social exchange theory explain Steven’s behavior? Gives some examples of the
benefits and costs of helping in this situation.

Social exchange is the theory that people most often act in ways intended to maximize their benefits
and rewards while minimizing the costs. Social exchange would say that Steven is protecting his twin
was to earn credits in the future with her or within the family. A risk is that the other girls would turn
on him as well and both he and his sister will be bullied by the other girls. And as he is being the
protector to his sister he is increasinghis standings with his sister.

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5. How would the empathy-altruism hypothesis explain Steven’s behavior?

The empathy-altruism hypothesis is the idea that when we feel empathy for a person, we will attempt
to help that person for purely altruistic reasons, regardless of what we have to gain. If we are to apply
the empathy-altruism hypothesis to Steven and his sister, than we are accept that his actions are
because his feelings of empathy for his twin. Steven acted like altruistic, his behavior then is similar
with empathy-altruism hypothesis.

Scenario B: Carrie has been presented with the opportunity to volunteer at a local
homeless shelter in downtown New Orleans. Although she feels a little out of place with the
homeless population, she is happy and excited about the opportunity to meet new people
and invite them to her church.

1. Based on what your textbook says about gender differences in prosocial behavior, is Carrie
likely to volunteer? Why or why not?

The text states that Men are more likely to be heroic and act honorable and women are to act
more in a social support and caring role to help people. As it states, Carrie is a female and
therefore more likely to help out again than if she was a male according to the text.

2. Based on what your textbook says about in-group vs. out-group helping, is Carrie likely to
volunteer? Why or why not?

The text states that in-groups are more likely to help there own out of empathy, and the other
group is more likely to help there own when they have something to gain. It states that Carrie
hopes to invite others to church so can go back as she is looking for a pro to volunteering.

3. Based on what your textbook says about religion and prosocial behavior, is Carrie likely to
volunteer? Why or why not?

The book states that Religious people are more likely to help when it makes them look good.
Even though Carrie feels out of place she is still excited to do the volunteer work and meet
new people.

4. Based on what your textbook says about mood and prosocial behavior, is Carrie likely to
volunteer? Why or why not? What if she was in a bad mood instead?

Carrie is in a good mood as she is already feeling excited about meeting new people, she felt
displaced due to the homeless people as they are an out-group to her. She will still help
either way if she was in a good or bad mood as an objective is to invite others to her church.

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5. According to the urban overload hypothesis, would Carrie agree to volunteer? Why or why
not?

It states that Carrie was given the chance to do this and wasn’t ordered for her to do and se
did agree . And we don’t know her background enough to see where she grew up to see if
she grew up in a rural setting or home many times she’s moved. But the text did state that if
you put urban people in a calmer, less stimulating place they will reach out to others.

Scenario C: Bob is walking in a crowded park one day when he notices what looks like a
homeless man having a seizure on a park bench. Several other people are standing around
looking at the man, but no one appears to be too concerned.

1. Based on what your textbook says about the bystander effect, is Bob likely to call for help?
Why or why not?

Unless the man calls out to bob, he is unlikely to do anything as there are other people
standing around not doing or seem concerned. And if Bob is distracted or in a hurry he won’t
do anything either.

2. How does pluralistic ignorance apply to this situation and how will it impact Bob’s helping
behavior?

The others are probably looking for others to see there reaction and if no one seems
concerned then they show that themselves about the situation. Unless somone ask about the
man, bob will still be unlikely to help or anyone for that matter.

3. What role would diffusion of responsibility play in this situation? How would it change things
if Bob was the only one witnessing the seizure?

The more people that are there and not doing anything increases the chance of something
happening to the homeless man. If Bob was the only one there he would know to hopefully
call for help as the less bystanders there are the greater the chance for help.

4. According to Latane’ and Darley’s five decision-making steps to helping in an emergency,

Bob’s knowledge will play a role in helping as well. If Bob knows anything about seizures
he’ll try and help but if lacks the knowledge then he won’t help out of fear of being
ridiculed.

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5. What evidence is there that prosocial media may increase helping behavior? What are the two
ways that prosocial media is thought to work?

Evidence is shown by playing prosocial video games and music. It works by increasing a
persons empathy toward someone in need and increasing accessibility of thoughts about
helping others in need.

6. Do you think that simply being aware of the bystander effect would make a difference in
Bob’s behavior and why?

Yes, studies have shown those that are aware of the bystander effect are more likely to help
and intervene then people that are unaware of the effect.

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