Social Relations:
Altruism
Chapter 16, Lecture 6
“Social traps challenge us to find ways of
reconciling our right to pursue our personal
well-being with our responsibility for the wellbeing of all.”
- David Myers
Altruism
An unselfish regard for the welfare of others.
Bystander Intervention
The decision-making process for bystander
intervention.
Bystander Effect
Tendency of any given
bystander to be less
likely to give aid if other
bystanders are present.
Bystander Effect
Research shows that we are most likely to help when:
• the person appears to need and deserve help.
• the person is in some way similar to us.
• we have just observed someone else being helpful.
• we are not in a hurry.
• we are in a small town or rural area.
• we are feeling guilty.
• we are focused on others and not preoccupied.
• we are in a good mood.
Norms for Helping
Social Exchange Theory – the theory that our social
behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is
to maximize benefits and minimize costs.
Reciprocity Norm – an expectation that people will
help, not hurt, those who have helped them.
Social-Responsibility Norm – an expectation that
people will help those dependent upon them.
Conflict
Conflict is perceived as an incompatibility of
actions, goals, or ideas.
The elements of conflict are the same at all
levels. People become deeply involved in
potentially destructive social processes that
have undesirable effects.
Conflict
Social traps are situations in which the
conflicting parties, by each rationally
pursuing their self-interest, become caught in
mutually destructive behavior.
To illustrate, let’s play
the “Missiles Game”
Enemy Perceptions
People in conflict form diabolical images
(mirror-image perceptions) of one another.
http://www.aftonbladet.se
http://www.cnn.com
Saddam Hussein
“Wicked Pharaoh”
George Bush
“Evil”
Cooperation
Superordinate Goals are shared goals that override
differences among people and require their cooperation.
Syracuse Newspapers/
The Image Works
Communication and understanding developed
through talking to one another. Sometimes it is
mediated by a third party.
Communication
Graduated & Reciprocated Initiatives in
Tension-Reduction (GRIT): This is a strategy
designed to decrease international tensions.
One side recognizes mutual interests and
initiates a small conciliatory act that opens the
door for reciprocation by the other party.
Homework
CT Questions – Social Relations
(10 pts)
“…civilization advances not by cultural
isolation – maintaining walls around ethnic
enclaves – but by tapping the knowledge, the
skills, and the arts that are each culture’s
legacy to the whole human race.”
- David Myers