PSY 130 Final EXAM 4 Questions solved
100% Correct (latest update 2025).
What are 3 evolutionary theories that explain prosocial behavior? - ✔✔Kin
selection, signaling theory, social norms and customs
Kin selection theory - ✔✔idea that we are more likely to provide help to
family members/genetic relatives
signaling theory - ✔✔Behaving generously implies other favorable characteristics
What are some social norms and customs that help us evolutionary explain prosocial behavior?
- ✔✔help explain prosocial behavior; social responsibility norm: expectation that people will
help those needing help; reciprocity norm: Expectation that helping others will increase the
likelihood that they will help us in the future
what is indirect reciprocity? - ✔✔One individual acts as a donor, the other as a recipient
Benefactor and beneficiary will never meet
How does the Benner et al (2004) study explain reciprocity norm? - ✔✔Participants
asked how much $ out of $10 they wanted to share with partner
-Felt obligated, so most gave $2-3
-Manipulation Group: told their partner had gotten same $10 and told that they shared a
certain amount
,-Person would give what the partner gave to them
What is the norm of fairness or Equity Theory? - ✔✔Expectation that you'll receive what
you contribute
What is the Brosnan & DeWaal (2003) study and what does this say about the Equity theory? -
✔✔Monkeys refused to participate in study when they saw another monkey receiving
more valuable prize (grape rather than cucumber) for the same task (give rock)
Effect was even amplified if they witnessed other monkey receive prize w/ no effort at all
BUT monkeys were okay if given one token for cucumber, two for grapes (i.e. give one rock
= one cucumber slice) b/c this justified getting a more valuable prize for more effort
Enhanced people's confidence that public goods would be distributed fairly among
contributors tends to increase contributions
Gender Differences in Prosocial Behavior - ✔✔1) MEN: chivalrous, heroic helping (ex.
pulling over and helping stranded motorist)
2) WOMEN: long term, nutrient helping (ex. visiting elderly neighbor
everyday) -BOTH genders more likely to help females than males
-Females are also more likely to seek and receive help
Cultural Differences in Prosocial Behavior - ✔✔-All cultures generally more likely to help
in-group members
-Empathy for in-group members; social exchange theory for out-group members (i.e.
donating to charity makes us feel good about ourselves)
-Some cultures make stronger distinction
-Cultural value placed on being helpful ("simpatia" in Spanish culture)
, -If a culture strongly values friendliness/prosocial behavior ---> may be more likely to
help strangers
Religion and Prosocial Behavior - ✔✔Stereotype that religious people are more moral
and feel more empathy towards others
Religious people more likely to help than other people are if they person in need shares
their beliefs
When it comes to helping strangers, religious people are no more helpful than nonreligious
When do we choose to help? - ✔✔Happens when we observe others behaving
prosaically and when the person we are helping has victim characteristics.
Effect of Observing on Helping - ✔✔Observing others behaving prosocially causes us to help
Observers more likely to make charitable donations and help another in distress
after witnessing another helping
"Victim" Characteristics: Group Identification - ✔✔In-group bias
We know what to expect of someone who's similar to us
"Victim" Characteristics: Gender - ✔✔Both genders more likely to help females
Females more likely to seek and receive help
When heterosexual men asked to donate, they're more likely to do so when there's a woman
watching
100% Correct (latest update 2025).
What are 3 evolutionary theories that explain prosocial behavior? - ✔✔Kin
selection, signaling theory, social norms and customs
Kin selection theory - ✔✔idea that we are more likely to provide help to
family members/genetic relatives
signaling theory - ✔✔Behaving generously implies other favorable characteristics
What are some social norms and customs that help us evolutionary explain prosocial behavior?
- ✔✔help explain prosocial behavior; social responsibility norm: expectation that people will
help those needing help; reciprocity norm: Expectation that helping others will increase the
likelihood that they will help us in the future
what is indirect reciprocity? - ✔✔One individual acts as a donor, the other as a recipient
Benefactor and beneficiary will never meet
How does the Benner et al (2004) study explain reciprocity norm? - ✔✔Participants
asked how much $ out of $10 they wanted to share with partner
-Felt obligated, so most gave $2-3
-Manipulation Group: told their partner had gotten same $10 and told that they shared a
certain amount
,-Person would give what the partner gave to them
What is the norm of fairness or Equity Theory? - ✔✔Expectation that you'll receive what
you contribute
What is the Brosnan & DeWaal (2003) study and what does this say about the Equity theory? -
✔✔Monkeys refused to participate in study when they saw another monkey receiving
more valuable prize (grape rather than cucumber) for the same task (give rock)
Effect was even amplified if they witnessed other monkey receive prize w/ no effort at all
BUT monkeys were okay if given one token for cucumber, two for grapes (i.e. give one rock
= one cucumber slice) b/c this justified getting a more valuable prize for more effort
Enhanced people's confidence that public goods would be distributed fairly among
contributors tends to increase contributions
Gender Differences in Prosocial Behavior - ✔✔1) MEN: chivalrous, heroic helping (ex.
pulling over and helping stranded motorist)
2) WOMEN: long term, nutrient helping (ex. visiting elderly neighbor
everyday) -BOTH genders more likely to help females than males
-Females are also more likely to seek and receive help
Cultural Differences in Prosocial Behavior - ✔✔-All cultures generally more likely to help
in-group members
-Empathy for in-group members; social exchange theory for out-group members (i.e.
donating to charity makes us feel good about ourselves)
-Some cultures make stronger distinction
-Cultural value placed on being helpful ("simpatia" in Spanish culture)
, -If a culture strongly values friendliness/prosocial behavior ---> may be more likely to
help strangers
Religion and Prosocial Behavior - ✔✔Stereotype that religious people are more moral
and feel more empathy towards others
Religious people more likely to help than other people are if they person in need shares
their beliefs
When it comes to helping strangers, religious people are no more helpful than nonreligious
When do we choose to help? - ✔✔Happens when we observe others behaving
prosaically and when the person we are helping has victim characteristics.
Effect of Observing on Helping - ✔✔Observing others behaving prosocially causes us to help
Observers more likely to make charitable donations and help another in distress
after witnessing another helping
"Victim" Characteristics: Group Identification - ✔✔In-group bias
We know what to expect of someone who's similar to us
"Victim" Characteristics: Gender - ✔✔Both genders more likely to help females
Females more likely to seek and receive help
When heterosexual men asked to donate, they're more likely to do so when there's a woman
watching
