question_answer

Explain the factors influencing pro-social behaviour.

Answer:

Factors influencing pro-social behaviour are:

(i) Pro-social behaviour is based on an inborn, natural tendency in human beings to help other members of their own species.

(ii) Pro-social behaviour is influenced by learning. Individuals who are brought up in a family environment that sets examples of helping others, emphasises helping as a value, and praises helpfulness, and showing more pro-social behaviour than individuals who are brought up in a family environment devoid of these features.

(iii) Cultural factors influence pro-social behaviour. Some cultures actively encourage people to help the needy and distressed. In cultures that encourage independence, individuals will show less pro-social behaviour, because people are expected to take care of themselves, and not to depend on help from others.

(iv) Pro-social behaviour is expressed when the situation activates certain social norms that require helping others. Three norms have been mentioned in the context of pro-social behaviour.

(a) The norm of social responsibility: We should help anyone who needs help, without considering any others factor.

(b) The norm of reciprocity: We should help those persons who have helped us in the past.

(c) The norm of equity: We should help others whenever we find that ids fair to do so.