sociocultural erq 3 Flashcards
Discuss/Evaluate a biological approach to social responsibility
KIN SELECTION THEORY: One explanation for the biological approach relates to the theory of Kin Selection. The Kin Selection Theory proposes that altruism can be explained through inclusive fitness. Altruism is selfless behavior that aims to help another person with no reward and sometimes at the expense of themself. Inclusive fitness is a concept that states an organism’s genetic success comes from cooperation and altruism. The theory predicts that the number of genes you share with an individual will influence the degree of altruism shown towards them.
HACHLIN AND JONES: Hachlin and Jones’ study involved 206 American university students being given 7 levels of social distance (for example, mother, partner, roommate, etc.) and were asked to identify a person in their life who best fits that role. Then, they were given a questionnaire where they were asked if they would give 75 dollars to the people they identified. The results found that participants were more likely to give the money to close relatives rather than distant relatives or non-relatives. This study supports the kin-selection theory because it shows that the greater the degree of biological closeness, the greater the degree of altruism.
MADSEN ET AL: Madsen et al’s study aimed to investigate the degree to which an individual self-sacrifices for someone else is influenced by biological relatedness. The procedure involved students from the UK and South Africa being asked to supply a list of blood relatives and how related they were to them. The participants then sat in an uncomfortable position and for every 20 seconds they did so, a relative chosen by the researcher from the participant’s list, would be paid. The results found that participants suffered through pain for longer when the recipient of the money was a closer relative. This study supports the kin-selection theory because it shows that the greater the degree of biological closeness, the greater the degree of altruism.
Discuss/Evaluate a cognitive approach to social responsibility
EMPATHY ALTRUISM MODEL: One explanation for the cognitive approach relates to the empathy altruism model. The empathy altruism model refers to there being 2 emotions when witnessing suffering: personal distress, which leads to egoistic behavior, and empathetic concern, which leads to altruistic behavior.
BATSON ET AL: The aim of Batson et al’s study was to investigate motives to empathetic behavior. The procedure involved psychology students watching Elaine receiving electric shocks. In the easy to escape condition, participants were told they could either take her place or fill out a questionnaire about their experience. In the difficult to escape condition, participants were told they could either take her place or watch Elaine go through additional trials. The results found that in the hard to escape condition, most participants agreed to take her place, whereas in the easy to escape condition, most participants filled out the questionnaire. This study connects to the empathy altruism model.
AROUSAL COST REWARD MODEL: Another explanation for the cognitive approach relates to the arousal cost reward model. The arousal cost reward model proposes that when we see someone in distress, we have an emotional reaction followed by us weighing the costs and benefits to helping. If the cost outweighs the reward, we are less likely to help. If the reward outweighs the cost, we are more likely to help.
PILIAVIN: The aim of Piliavin et al’s study was to test how situation factors influence prosocial behavior. The procedure involved New York subway travelers witnessing either a man who appeared ill or a man who appeared drunk fall onto the floor of a subway. The results found that the people helped the man who appeared ill 95% of the time, whereas people helped the man who appeared drunk 50% of the time. The average time it took for someone to help the man who appeared ill was 5 seconds, whereas the average time it took for someone to help the man who appeared drunk was 109 seconds. This study connects to the arousal cost reward model.
Discuss/Evaluate a sociocultural approach to social responsibility
BYSTANDER EFFECT: One explanation for the sociocultural approach relates to the bystander effect. A bystander is someone who witnesses, but does not partake in an event. The bystander effect describes how the presence of others discourages an individual from intervening in an emergency situation. People often diffuse responsibly by assuming that others will help.
DARLEY AND LATANE: Darley and Latane’s study involved students being told they were taking part in an anonymous interview. Students were told they were either alone, there was 1 other person, or there were 4 other people, depending on the condition. During the interview, a recording of the interviewer crying for help would be played. The results found that when the students thought they were alone, they helped 85% of the time. When they were told 1 other person was present, they helped 65% of the time. When they were told 4 other people were present, they helped 31% of the time. This study connects to the bystander effect.
LATANE AND RODIN: Latane and Rodin’s study involved participants sitting in a waiting room, during which they would hear the experimenter cry for help in the next room. The results found that the participants reacted quicker when they were alone than when they were sitting with a confederate who did not react to the situation. This study connects to the bystander effect.
Discuss 2 or more ethical considerations in the study of social responsibility
ETHICAL CONSIDERATION: One ethical consideration that is relevant when studying social responsibility is deception. Deception is when a researcher gives false information to participants to intentionally mislead them about aspects of the research. Another ethical consideration that is relevant when studying social responsibility is protection from harm. Researchers must ensure that participants are protected from harm when participating in their study to ensure the study remains ethical.
DARLEY AND LATANE: Darley and Latane used deception within their study. Darley and Latane’s study involved students being told they were taking part in an anonymous interview. Students were told they were either alone, there was 1 other person, or there were 4 other people, depending on the condition. During the interview, a recording of the interviewer crying for help would be played. The results found that when the students thought they were alone, they helped 85% of the time. When they were told 1 other person was present, they helped 65% of the time. When they were told 4 other people were present, they helped 31% of the time.
MADEN ET AL: Madsen et al violated the ethical consideration protection from harm within their study. Madsen et al’s study aimed to investigate the degree to which an individual self-sacrifices for someone else is influenced by biological relatedness. The procedure involved students from the UK and South Africa being asked to supply a list of blood relatives and how related they were to them. The participants then sat in an uncomfortable position and for every 20 seconds they did so, a relative chosen by the researcher from the participant’s list, would be paid. The results found that participants suffered through pain for longer when the recipient of the money was a closer relative.
Discuss 1 or more research method used to study social responsibility
RESEARCH METHOD: One of the types of research methods used to study the concept of social responsibility is questionnaires. Questionnaires are a written self-report technique where participants are given a pre-set number of questions to respond to. Another type of research method used to study the concept of social responsibility are field experiments. Field experiments take place outside of a laboratory to observe participants in a natural environment.
HACHLIN AND JONES: Hachlin and Jones’ study involved 206 American university students being given 7 levels of social distance (for example, mother, partner, roommate, etc.) and were asked to identify a person in their life who best fits that role. Then, they were given a questionnaire where they were asked if they would give 75 dollars to the people they identified. The results found that participants were more likely to give the money to close relatives rather than distant relatives or non-relatives.
PILIAVIN ET AL: The aim of Piliavin et al’s study was to test how situation factors influence prosocial behavior. The procedure involved New York subway travelers witnessing either a man who appeared ill or a man who appeared drunk fall onto the floor of a subway. The results found that the people helped the man who appeared ill 95% of the time, whereas people helped the man who appeared drunk 50% of the time. The average time it took for someone to help the man who appeared ill was 5 seconds, whereas the average time it took for someone to help the man who appeared drunk was 109 seconds.
Discuss/Evaluate 1 or more studies on prosocial behavior
PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Prosocial behavior is behavior that benefits others or has positive social consequences. It is usually shown through acts of kindness, compassion, and helping behaviors. Prosocial behavior can decrease the negative effects of stress and have positive effects on mental health.
LEVINE ET AL: The aim of Levine et al’s study was to investigate the role of culture on helping behavior. The procedure involved participants witnessing either someone dropping a pen, someone who appears to have a limp dropping and then struggling to pick up magazines, or someone who appears blind with a cane crossing the street on a green light. The results found that participants from poorer countries were overall more helpful. The results indicate that countries with less economic productivity tend to be more traditional and thus, value helping others.
GREITESMEYER AND OSSWALD: The aim of Greitemeyer and Osswald’s study was to investigate whether video games can promote prosocial behavior. The procedure involved students being assigned to play a prosocial or neutral video game. The participants then witnessed a situation where a male researcher acted aggressively towards a female researcher. The results found that 20% of the participants who played a neutral video game intervened, whereas 60% of the participants who played the prosocial video game intervened. The results indicate that playing prosocial video games has at least a short-term effect on someone’s likelihood to act prosocially.
Discuss/Evaluate 1 or more strategies for the promotion of prosocial behavior
PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Prosocial behavior is behavior that benefits others or has positive social consequences. It is usually shown through acts of kindness, compassion, and helping behaviors. Prosocial behavior can decrease the harmful effects of stress and have positive effects on mental health.
GREITESMEYER AND OSSWALD: The aim of Greitemeyer and Osswald’s study was to investigate whether video games can promote prosocial behavior. The procedure involved students being assigned to play a prosocial or neutral video game. The participants then witnessed a situation where a male researcher acted aggressively towards a female researcher. The results found that 20% of the participants who played a neutral video game intervened, whereas 60% of the participants who played the prosocial video game intervened. The results indicate that playing prosocial video games has at least a short-term effect on someone’s likelihood to act prosocially.
SPRAFKIN ET AL: The aim of Sprafkin et al’s study was to test whether television with prosocial content promoted prosocial behavior. The procedure involved children watching either a video about a dog saving her puppies, if they were in the prosocial condition, or a dog demonstrating no prosocial behavior, if they were in the control condition. The results found that children exposed to the prosocial condition were more likely to help a puppy afterwards, when being given the chance to, compared to those in the control condition.
Thesis statement
Evaluate: the theory is supported by evidence but has some limitations. Discuss: the theory is applicable but hard to study because of _.
