Helping

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Helping
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OUTLINE OF DISCUSSION •
TOPICS
There is nothing more beautiful
than someone who goes out
of their way to make life
beautiful for others.
3 Stories of Helping

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 ALTRUISM
is selfishness in reverse.
An altruistic person is concerned
and helpful even when
no benefits are offered or
expected in return.
 WHY DO WE HELP?
- Because it makes me feel happy and good that I am
doing something that makes a difference to them.
- I like helping other because I care for people.
- I am a kind of person that puts others before
myself and always tries to lookout for others.
Why do we help?
Social Exchange and Social
Norms

SOCIAL-EXCHANGE THEORY
Blood-letting

WILL YOU VOLUNTEER TO DONATE

OR NOT?

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Why do we help?
Social Exchange: Rewards

EXTERNAL REWARDS
Why do we help?
Social Exchange: Rewards

INTERNAL REWARDS
 “Still, reward theories imply that a helpful act is
never truly altruistic—that we merely call it
‘altruistic’ when its rewards are inconspicuous. If
we help the screaming woman so we can gain
social approval, relieve our distress, prevent
guilt, or boost our self-image, is it really
altruistic?”
B. F. Skinner’s (1971) analysis of helping.
 We attribute their behavior to their inner
dispositions only when we lack external
explanations. When the external causes are
obvious, we credit the causes, not the person.
There is, however, a weakness in reward theory.
It easily degenerates into explaining-by-naming.
Because of this circular reasoning, egoism — the
idea that self-interest motivates all behavior —
has fallen into disrepute.
Why do we help?
Social Exchange: Internal
Rewards

GUILT
 ...The results are remarkably consistent: People
will do whatever can be done to expunge the
guilt, relieve their bad feelings, and restore their
self-image.
 Our eagerness to do good after doing bad
reflects our need to reduce private guilt and
restore a shaken self-image. It also reflects our
desire to reclaim a positive public image. We are
more likely to redeem ourselves with helpful
behavior when other people know about our
misdeeds (Carlsmith & Gross, 1969).
Why do we help?
Social Exchange: Internal
Rewards

EXCEPTIONS TO THE FEEL BAD–

DO GOOD SCENARIO
Why do we help?
Social Exchange: Internal
Rewards

FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD

Why do we help?
Social Exchange and Social
Norms

SOCIAL NORMS
Why do we help?
Social Norms

RECIPROCITY NORM
Why do we help?
Social Norms

RECIPROCITY NORM
Why do we help?
Social Norms

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NORM

Why do we help?
Social Norms

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY NORM

 Responses are thus closely tied to attributions. If we attribute the
need to an uncontrollable predicament, we help. If we attribute the
need to the person’s choices, fairness does not require us to help;
we say it’s the person’s own fault.
Why do we help?
Social Norms

GENDER AND RECEIVING HELP

Why do we help?
Social Norms

GENDER AND RECEIVING HELP