Prosocial Behavior Theory

Prosocial Behavior is exhibited through actions that are directed towards the promotion of another’s well-being. Examples of these behaviors are helping, comforting, sharing, and cooperation. The term was coined in the 1970s and introduced as an antonym for “antisocial behavior.” Extensive study on prosocial behavior was conducted after an incident involving a young girl named Kitty Genovese, wherein she was murdered on her way home from work; she cried for help and although many heard her, none came to her aid until it was far too late (Cherry, 2005). This study aims to determine the students of De La Salle University who display and possess prosocial behavior as well as the reasons as to why they behave prosocially. The researchers conducted

The most common is kin selection, social exchange norm, and the social responsibility norm. According to Cherry in 2015, the idea of kin selection suggests that helping a member of one’s own genetic family makes it more likely that the kin will survive and pass on genes to the future generation. Cherry states that survival is one of the most common reasons behind helping, and subsequently, prosocial behavior. Given this, Cherry (2015) concluded that since people only tend to help their family members instead of other people, they are more likely to become selfish towards strangers. Another theory is the social exchange theory, assumes that helping is much like other social behaviors. Humans are motivated by a desire to maximize rewards (Myers, 2015). This theory suggests that prosocial behavior is determined by the rewards the doer receives from helping others. The rewards may be material or nonmaterial such as monetary gain or improvement of self virtues. Finally, the social responsibility theory states that people tend to be more helpful towards the needy (Myers, 2015). Women, children, elderly, and the disabled are some examples of those which people offer help to without thought of future reward. This theory suggests that people are prosocial simply because other people need them to be. Either people choose to be prosocial or are conditioned to be so, prosocial behavior is deemed as a socially desirable trait and it is highly encouraged among people around the world for it promotes cooperation and