Pro-Social Behavior: Major Theoretical Framework and Influential Factors

Running head: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Social Psychology
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1SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
Introduction:
Social psychology is a much broader topic, which deals with the inner aspect of human
being. This is basically the scientific study, which shades light on the way, through which
feeling, thought and attitude of human being are impacted by both the real and imagined
presence of others. According to Thibaut (2017) social psychology, in its simplest form is
considered as the empirical mode of investing the inner-self of humans. The factors like feeling,
behavior and thoughts are being considered as one of the most significant variables which can be
measured within a person. Social psychology is basically the interdisciplinary domain, which can
have a firm impact on mitigating the gap in between sociology and psychology.
Pro-social behavior is a major aspect of social psychology, which is defined as that kind
of behavior, being produced for providing benefit to that of others. McDougall (2015) explored
that helping, sharing, donating and cooperating are some of the major instances of pro-social
behavior. This paper intends to discuss about pro-social behavior by considering major
theoretical framework. The influential factors for producing such behavior will be highlighted
and the norm of reciprocity will also be analyzed. As pro social behavior is a broader area, the
helping attitude of strangers will be assessed.
Discussion:
Pro-social behavior deals with the helping attitude of others. In its simplest form, this
pro-social behavior can also be referred as the intention to benefit another- one of the most
significant aspect of social behavior, which can give benefit to the entre society. This is the
socially acknowledged behavior, which is being showed by following certain rules and
regulations in the society. Based on the discussion of Sherif (2015) empathy and willingness to

2SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
protect the fundamental rights of others are two of the major factors that drive motivation among
people to show pro-social behavior. Altruism, cooperation and giving care to others are some of
the major instances of pro-social behavior. This is the major aspect of morality, which
incorporates the desire of protecting the needs and interests of others in the society. Smith (2015)
commented that pro-social behavior is entirely dependent on some of the specific personalities,
which leads a people to help others to get out from any kind of difficult situation. The
motivational factor behind such pro-social behavior such as the helping attitude of strangers is
quite complicated. Empathy is the major factor, which lead people to help the strangers.
Empathy is one of the major factors, which lead the people to help others. According to the
notion of altruism, the people who help strangers are less likely to be selfish than that of others.
However, Smith, Mackie and Claypool(2014) argued by saying that selfish reasons are also there
behind helping others even in the most irrelevant situation. Researchers are showing that, the
fundamental aim behind producing helping attitude to the strangers is to align the psychological
self with that of the victims. In addition, strong desire to elevate the mood also acts as a driving
factor in helping the strangers. Wyer(2014) highlighted that the fundamental aim behind helping
the strangers is to overcome the feeling of distress.
Strong social bonding is one of the most significant outcomes of pro-social behavior.
This is the way, through which interpersonal relationships can also be strengthened. This
behavior is posing a major challenge for social scientists in order to explore the reasons, for
which, people show desire towards helping the strangers. Shibutani(2017) showed by saying that
such behavior among people is being fostered since childhood as the family members show
encouraging attitude towards children for sharing, acting like responsible and give support to
others. According to the Principles of Natural Selection, such traits among people are being