Helping behavior
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
Helping behavior refers to voluntary actions intended to help others, with reward regarded or disregarded. This behavior is a type of prosocial behavior, which is any action intended to benefit another. Helping behavior can be motivated by various factors, including empathy, altruism, and social norms.
Types of Helping Behavior[edit | edit source]
Helping behavior can be categorized into several types:
- Altruism: Helping others with no expectation of reward or benefit.
- Egoism: Helping others with the expectation of personal gain.
- Reciprocal altruism: Helping others with the expectation that they will help in return.
- Kin selection: Helping relatives to ensure the survival of shared genes.
Theories of Helping Behavior[edit | edit source]
Several theories explain why individuals engage in helping behavior:
- Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis: Suggests that people help others out of genuine concern for their well-being.
- Social Exchange Theory: Proposes that helping behavior is motivated by the desire to maximize rewards and minimize costs.
- Norm of Reciprocity: The expectation that people will respond favorably to each other by returning benefits for benefits.
- Social Responsibility Norm: The societal rule that people should help those who need assistance.
Factors Influencing Helping Behavior[edit | edit source]
Several factors can influence whether an individual engages in helping behavior:
- Situational factors: The context or environment in which the need for help arises.
- Bystander effect: The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help when others are present.
- Mood: People are more likely to help when they are in a good mood.
- Personality traits: Certain traits, such as empathy and agreeableness, can increase the likelihood of helping behavior.
Helping Behavior in Animals[edit | edit source]
Helping behavior is not limited to humans; it is also observed in various animal species. Examples include:
- Vampire bats: Sharing blood meals with roost mates.
- Primates: Grooming and sharing food.
- Birds: Cooperative breeding and alarm calling.
Applications of Helping Behavior[edit | edit source]
Understanding helping behavior has practical applications in various fields, including:
- Psychology: Developing interventions to promote prosocial behavior.
- Sociology: Understanding social dynamics and community support systems.
- Medicine: Encouraging altruistic behaviors such as organ donation and blood donation.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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