The Importance Of Prosocial Behavior

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Prosocial Behavior is the action one takes in order to assist someone without any expectations. This type of behavior can be as simple as holding a door open for someone, helping someone cross the street and assisting in the changing of a tire (Baron, Branscombe, 2012, pp. 289-317). Individuals have various reasons for helping others; from receiving praise, attention from others or out of empathy. Empathy is a response an individual experiences towards another and can relate to that individuals state of being, celebrating with those that rejoice and mourn with those who mourn (Feldman, 2010). Our everyday hero doesn’t reside in a prestigious office, nor are they known amongst those that reside within our society. They are the ones that sacrifice their time to ensure others have a sense of hope and to bring hope to those that are in need. These individuals volunteer at the Good Samaritan putting together Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, visit the elderly and disabled at the Waynesville Life Care Center on Sundays, reading the Bible and socializing, as well as supporting kids in other countries by sending Christmas boxes. Some might even show their support by donating monetary funds to charities or providing meals to the hungry. Throughout history we have experienced disasters as individuals and groups; caused by events such as fires, natural disasters, rape, murder, school shootings, terrorist attacks and bombings where numerous first responders have lost their lives. During one of the deadliest days in history, Thomas Burnett Jr. was on United Flight 93 which was hijacked after leaving Newark International Airport. Mr. Burnett placed a call to his wife and said “I know we are all going to die. There is three of us who are goin... ... middle of paper ... ...rs and others that will answer the call to aid those in need of help or assistance or in actually dangerous situations. References Baron, Robert A., and Donn, Byrne. Social Psychology. 10th ed. Madrid: Pearson Education, 2006, pp. 390-91. Print Baron, Robert A., and Nyla R. Branscombe. Social Psychology. 13th ed. Boston: Pearson, 2012, pp. 289-317. Print. Feldman, Robert S. Development across the Life Span. 6th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2010. N. Frater, J. (Nov. 02, 2009). Retrieved from http://listverse.com/2009/11/02/10-notorious-cases-of-the-bystander History.com staff. (2010). 9/11 attacks. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks Lopez, K. (2008, 01 14). Katrina volunteers come to stay. Retrieved from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-01-14-katrina-volunteers-main_N.htm

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