Social Psychology: Interpersonal and Group (Chapter 15) Second Lecture Outline: Helping behavior Prejudice Aggression and deindividualtion (Zimbardo’s prison study: M146)

Bystander studies The larger the group, the less likely someone will intervene Someone falls down in front of you at the bus stop. You are more likely to help them if you are alone than iff waiting with other strangers. Bystander effect leads to diffusion of responsibility Observers need to notice and define the emergency, take responsibility, and act

Altruism or prosocial behavior is defined as actions that provide benefit to others but that have no obvious benefits for the person who carries them out, often with a potential of cost or risk to the helper. 1. NOTICE THE SITUATION 2. Define the situation as an emergency 3. Assume responsibility 4. Decide what exactly to do 5. Actually decide to help Altruism involves potential risk to the helper. .

Prejudice Unfavorable attitude towards other groups based on weak or incorrect evidence Social categories and stereotypes Outgroup heterogeneity: Everyone from another group is alike Illusory correlation: “odd” behavior of others Why? Competition, identity, modeling Reduced by contact between equals involved in cooperative activity

We encode information based on our inherent prejudices We encode information based on our inherent prejudices. What do you recall of Dianna’s car crash?

Aggression Hostile: Impulsive and emotional Instrumental: To get what we want Adaptive: Contributes to survival or reproduction Preying mantis, pheasants, infanticide Hormones (e.g., testosterone) and odors (e.g., dogs) Caused by aggression, pain, frustration, deindividuation

Is Aggression Inborn?/Testosterone (1) "Bonobo Society: Amicable, Amorous and Run by Females." New York Times, 4/22/97; p. C4. The title says it all. Bonobos (less accurately called “pygmy chimpanzees”) share at least 98% of their DNA with humans, yet they live in a remarkably peaceful, non-aggressive society. Bonobos are much less obsessed with power and status than their chimpanzee (and human) cousins. Their lack of violence suggests that aggression need not be innate nor linked to male testosterone (male bonobos are as peaceful as females)--which refutes the evolutionary psychology position. The article outlines the rest of Bonobo society: females are dominant, but in a way that is "so mild and unobnoxious" that equality between the sexes reigns. Bonobos cement their social bonds through frequent and enthusiastic sex, of all types, in all possible combinations. "Make love, not war" is definately the Bonobo motto.

Deindividuation Once a sense of individual identity is lost, internal constraints against socially unacceptable behavior are reduced Example: Scavenger hunt can get out of hand Example: War propoganda -- dehumanize the enemy Zimbardo’s prison experiment (M146)