Social PsychologySocial psychology is a field that uses the scientific method "to understand and explain how the thought, feeling, and behavior of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others."
-Gordon Allport (1985) Prosocial BehaviorProsocial behavior is defined as a helpful action that benefits other people without any direct benefits to the person providing the help, and that may put themselves at risk (Baron, Byrne, & Branscombe, 2007).
When thinking about what we will do in a situation, we like to think of ourselves as good people who would help. If someone asked you if you would help a person in need, the majority of us would answer, "Of course!," but studies show that there are many factors that determine whether one would help a stranger.
While most of us think we will help, when faced with the final challenge, often times people will choose to not get involved. If this seems shocking, this video shows a young girl alone in a mall with people continuing to walk by without helping her. These are shocking and very scary results. The answer to why so many people walked by and did not help the girl who was in danger can be answered through research in social psychology.
~Topics to Explore~
Click the buttons below to learn more!
|
|