Prosocial Behavior

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Prosocial behaviors are actions taken to help and benefit other individuals. Examples of prosocial behaviors include helping an elderly woman cross a busy street, baking cookies for someone, or even buying a stranger a cup of coffee. Prosocial behavior is an act of kindness that everyone should be aware of for the sake of helping others around them progress mentally and physically. After spending the past week practicing more prosocial behavior to friends, family, and strangers, I have learned that prosocial behavior not only makes others feel good but it is also self-rewarding.
Monday evening was my first act of prosocial behavior of the week. As a military dependent that lives a base, I thought it would be a nice gesture to do something for active duty military members in reason to thank members for serving our country. In contribution to prosocial behavior, I made dozens chocolate covered strawberries and delivered them to the building my father works in. While I delivering strawberries, I looked at several Navy sailors and thanked them for their service. I was surprised at how thankful some people were in reaction to my delivery. It made me happy to see that the smallest things can bring people such joy.
In that same evening of going to the store for chocolate covered strawberry ingredience, I complimented three strangers. The three strangers I complimented were two women that were out shopping as well and the cashier I checked out with. The first woman I complimented her purse. She really appreciated my compliment and it put a smile on her face for the rest of the time I saw her in the store. The next woman I saw, I complimented the interesting mix of colors she used on her tie-dye shirt however her reaction was vague, becau...

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... to the ocean to relax, socialize, and enjoy food and drinks on me. At the end of the night, everyone I had brought together was very thankful that I organized the trip because we had the chance to enjoy everyone’s company given that we do not all get to do that very often.
Contributing to prosocial behavior is something that everyone should make an effort at doing especially given that the United States has such an individualist culture. In all five of the situations, I learned that the smallest things like a compliment can make someone’s day which I think is mentally beneficial on both ends. I enjoyed giving out positive energy and I even made friends out of my behaviors. It was very self-rewarding knowing that I made a difference in someone’s day.

Works Cited

Kassin, S., Fein, S., & Markus, H. R. (2014). Social psychology (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

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