The Social Approach: Why We Help Each Other

The social approach in psychology believes that our behavior, especially helping behavior, is heavily influenced by our relationships with others. It's not just about individual motives, but the social context we're in, the people around us, and the norms of our society.

Understanding Prosocial Behavior

Prosocial behavior is anything we do to help others, whether it's lending a hand, sharing a snack, or simply offering a kind word. It's a vital part of our social fabric, and the social approach tries to understand why we engage in it.

Yamamoto et al. (2012): Chimpanzee Helping

This study, using chimpanzees as subjects, provides fascinating insights into the social roots of helping behavior. Here's what they found:

• The Experiment: Researchers placed two chimpanzees in separate cages, one with a delicious treat but unable to reach it, and the other with a tool that could help the first chimp get the treat.
• The Results: The chimpanzees with the tool overwhelmingly chose to help the other chimp, even though they received no direct reward for doing so.
• The Takeaway: This shows that chimpanzees, who are closely related to humans, exhibit helping behavior even when there's no immediate benefit for them. This suggests that the roots of prosocial behavior might be deeply embedded in our evolutionary history.

Social Norms and Helping Behavior

Social norms are the unwritten rules that guide our behavior in a society. Think about things like waiting your turn, respecting elders, or saying "please" and "thank you." These norms can also influence our willingness to help others.

• Reciprocity: We are more likely to help someone who has previously helped us. This is a fundamental norm in many societies.
• Social Responsibility: Many cultures emphasize the importance of helping those in need, without expecting anything in return. This is often rooted in religious beliefs or moral values.
• Group Membership: We are more likely to help those who belong to our group, whether it's our family, our school, or our sports team. This is often driven by a desire to maintain group cohesion and strengthen social bonds.

Real-World Examples of Social Norms in Action

Think about these everyday situations:

• Helping a classmate with homework: You might be more willing to help a classmate who is in your friend group, even if you don't know them well.
• Donating to charity: You might be more likely to donate to a charity that benefits a group you identify with, such as children with cancer or veterans.
• Offering assistance to a stranger: You might be more likely to help someone who is clearly in need, like someone who has fallen and needs help getting up.

The Importance of Social Approach for Understanding Helping Behavior

By understanding the social factors that influence helping behavior, we can develop strategies to promote prosocial behavior in our communities. For example, we can encourage cooperation and teamwork, promote social responsibility through education, and create environments that make it easier for people to help others.