prosocial

Prosocial behavior refers to voluntary actions intended to benefit others, including helping, sharing, comforting, and cooperating. It encompasses actions aimed at improving the welfare of individuals, groups, or society, often despite potential personal costs. Prosocial behavior is studied across psychology, sociology, and behavioral economics to understand how people respond to others' needs and to what extent such actions are influenced by internal dispositions versus situational factors.

Theoretical perspectives identify several motivations for prosocial acts. The empathy-altruism hypothesis posits that empathic concern produces genuine helping without expectation of reward. Other theories emphasize social norms and reciprocal expectations, such as the norm of reciprocity and the cost-to-benefit calculations of social exchange. Situational factors, such as the perceived urgency of need, the presence of observers, or the actor's mood, can also influence prosocial likelihood.

Prosocial behavior develops in childhood and is shaped by genetics, temperament, and socialization. Empathy, moral reasoning, and concern for others often increase with cognitive and emotional development, while parenting practices, peer influence, and cultural norms play key roles. Prosocial actions can be voluntary or internally motivated or appear as obligatory in certain contexts.

Researchers measure prosocial behavior using self-report questionnaires, behavioral tasks, and field observations. Evidence comes from laboratory experiments, naturalistic studies, and cross-cultural comparisons, suggesting both universal tendencies and culturally variable expressions of prosociality.

Applications include education programs that foster empathy and cooperation, organizational practices that reward cooperative behavior, and public campaigns promoting charitable giving. Debates note that prosocial behavior can be influenced by social desirability, context, and strategic considerations, and that not all helping is beneficial in every circumstance.