Glossary
Altruism
Unselfish acts aimed at helping others, often without expectation of personal gain.
Example:
A student volunteers to tutor struggling classmates for free, demonstrating pure altruism.
Bystander Effect
The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.
Example:
During a public emergency, many people might stand by and watch, illustrating the bystander effect, as each assumes someone else will intervene.
Diffusion of Responsibility
A socio-psychological phenomenon in which a person is less likely to take responsibility for action or inaction when others are present.
Example:
In a group project, if one person doesn't contribute, others might also slack off due to diffusion of responsibility, feeling less personally accountable for the outcome.
Reciprocity Norm
An expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them.
Example:
After your neighbor waters your plants while you're on vacation, you feel compelled to bring them a thank-you gift, adhering to the reciprocity norm.
Social Exchange Theory
The theory that human interactions are transactions that aim to maximize one's rewards and minimize one's costs.
Example:
Before deciding to help a friend move, you might consider the effort involved versus the gratitude and future favors you might receive, applying social exchange theory.
Social Responsibility Norm
An expectation that people will help those dependent upon them, often without expectation of future reciprocation.
Example:
A community organizes a food drive for families affected by a natural disaster, driven by the social responsibility norm to assist those in need.