Prosocial behavior is mainly linked to theories and ideas of helping. It is described as the interaction between helpers and recipients (Hewstone & Stroebe, 2001). Prosocial behavior can be understood as behavior that has social consequences that can positively contribute to another person's well-being (Wispe, 1972 cited by Malim & Birch, 1998). The consequence of prosocial behavior is of benefit to others, therefore this essay will examine the role of sympathy and empathy in the study of behavior in helping situations. The value and success of the help for the individual will be assessed, as will the positive and negative aspects of empathy and sympathy. This essay will begin by expanding on the definition of prosocial behavior already given, before discussing sympathy and empathy in depth. The essay will also discuss social explanations of helping and show how empathy is related. We will then discuss a theory of empathy and prosocial behavior, aspects of which should have been addressed throughout. The conclusion will summarize the author's argument and there will be evidence and examples throughout the essay. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay As stated earlier, prosocial behavior is linked to helping. It is encouraged in cultures where extended families are the norm - for example India - and where there are greater responsibilities but a simpler social structure (Eisenberg & Musen, 1989 cited by Kaplan, 1998). These are generally collectivist societies, constituting approximately seventy percent of the world's population. Cultures that emphasize community rather than individualism are more likely to produce people who are prosocial and conformist in nature (Stevenson, 1991 cited by Kaplan, 1998). Those growing up in rural areas are also more likely to be prosocial than those from urban areas (Eisenberg & Musen, 1989 cited by Kaplan, 1998). Prosocial behavior is also voluntary but can be motivated selfishly – ultimately to benefit oneself – or motivated altruistically. - benefit another person (Brehm et al, 1999; Hewstone & Stroebe, 2001). Altruistic behavior: a refined form of prosocial behavior: it is characterized by empathy and perspective taking (Hewstone & Stroebe, 2001). Prosocial behavior will increase with age (Durkin, 1995 and Peterson, 1983 cited by Kaplan, 1998), as people become better at considering the perspectives of others (Kaplan, 1998) – empathizing more (Eisenberg et al, 1996 cited by Kaplan, 1998). . This shows that the role of empathy in the study of prosocial behavior is fundamental. Empathy is defined as the ability to understand the feelings of another (Soanes, 2001; www.infoplease.com). Sympathy is a feeling of sorrow and pity for another's misfortune, but it is also his understanding (Soanes, 2001; www.infoplease.com). The author has decided to largely ignore the phrase sympathy in the rest of this essay, focusing instead on empathy, for two reasons. The first is that both words have a closely related meaning, and the second is that the literature reviewed on the topic has little to say about sympathy, focusing more on the term empathy. Empathy is triggered when an individual witnesses the emotional state of another person. (Hewstone and Stroebe, 2001; Kaplan, 1998). This is the result of adopting the other person's perspective and understanding their emotions (Hewstone & Stroebe, 2001). For example, a friend might come to you with a problem and you imagine yourself in thatposition to understand it better. Empathy can be experienced through moral reasoning (Eisenberg et al, 1996 cited by Kaplan, 1998) and the capacity for empathy is a good predictor of prosocial behavior (Roberts & Strayer, 1996 cited by Kaplan, 1998). People who focus on themselves are less likely to be helpful than those who are interested in others (Kaplan,1998). There appears to be a biological link in behaving altruistically towards others due to genetic similarity – this is reinforced across a variety of cultures (Krebs & Miller, 1985 cited by Lord, 1997). However, the author believes that this may not always be the case. The choice to "save" a friend or family member may depend on previous experiences, of which the friend may have fared much better. Empathy has both cognitive and emotional components (Eisenberg et al, 1996 cited by Kaplan, 1998). An important cognitive component is that of perspective taking: using the imagination to see the world through the eyes of another. By sensing a person in need and imagining their feelings, you may experience feelings of empathic concern. The result is that you have an altruistic reason to help. This can be identified as a large-scale tragedy. One of the most recent examples is the events of September 11, 2001. After witnessing the horror of the two planes crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Center - some of which was broadcast live on television - people were overwhelmed by emotion. of pain and sympathy. Many firefighters and other rescue workers rushed to the scene to save as many people as possible - an example of selfless help - only to lose their lives in the process as the towers collapsed. The example also shows that people are willing to help when the cost to them is high, but this is usually not the case. People in Western societies are more likely to help when the cost to them is low, but the benefit is high. This can be demonstrated by one of the four types of social relationships in society: the market price. Market price setting implies minimum cost with maximum gain (Lord, 1997). Everything, including help, has a price (Fiske, 1991 cited by Lord, 1997). People help each other in proportion to their own costs and the needs of others: the “fairness norm” (Greenberg & Cohen, 1982, & Krebs, 1982 cited by Lord, 1997). For example, a friend asks you to buy her some groceries because she won't be able to come shopping until tomorrow. You weigh the cost of the trip to the store against his need for food before deciding whether or not to fulfill his request - if the cost is too high (e.g. you have to buy gas) you will probably refuse or bargain before helping. Market prices seem to be a very selfish way of helping. A negative aspect of market price setting is that it opens opportunities for things like slavery (Lord, 1997). A second social relationship is that of equality. This results in equality of favors (Lord, 1997). People want to maintain equal status (Fiske, 1991 cited by Lord, 1997). However, there is room for revenge as people feel that others have contributed more or less (Lord, 1997). The third is that of authority rank: the idea of ​​helping others with a different status (higher or lower) because of the responsibility to do something. so (Lord, 1997). People are willing to protect each other because there is no personal gain and they are not trying to “beat the system”. However, those in power can abuse this social relationship. The fourth social relationship is that of community sharing. Community sharing involves freely sharing favors and resources with those who have.