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“Describe and evaluate research into bystander intervention”

People sometimes behave in ways which are likeable to others; they may do favours for one another, they support charities, help, sacrifice, rescue, share and they even save other people’s lives. Often it may involve a great risk on their part with little or no gain. This is pro-social behaviour, which can be defined as “behaviour that benefits others or has positive social consequences”- Staub, 1978. This definition however only looks at the consequences of an act; the motives behind it also need to be considered. The most obvious motive or reason for helping is altruism, which is “helping behaviour that is voluntary, costly to the altruist, and motivated by something other than the expectation of material or social reward”- Walster & Piliavin, 1972.
So, altruism is the regard for the interest of others without concern for ones self interest. I will be endeavouring to discuss the reasons and factors which increase of decrease helping behaviour.

When Bystanders J...

Posted by: John Mayes

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