4.7 Altruism and Aggression

Altruism and helping behavior

Altruism is unselfish behavior that benefits others without regard for oneself. The bystander effect shows people are less likely to help when others are present, partly due to diffusion of responsibility — each person feels less personally obligated to act. Social norms, like the reciprocity norm (help those who help us) and social responsibility norm (help those who need it), also drive helping behavior.

Explaining aggression

Aggression is behavior intended to cause harm. Biological explanations point to genetics, brain structures like the amygdala, low serotonin, and hormones like testosterone. Psychological/social explanations include the frustration-aggression principle (blocked goals increase aggression) and social learning theory, where aggression is learned through observing and imitating models, especially when rewarded.

Culture and context effects

Aggression and altruism vary across cultures and situations. Deindividuation (losing self-awareness in groups/crowds) can increase aggressive or antisocial acts. Cultural norms shape whether direct or indirect aggression is more common, and collectivist cultures often emphasize helping in-group members more strongly than individualist cultures.

Key terms

Altruism

Unselfish behavior intended to benefit others without regard for oneself.

Bystander effect

People are less likely to help someone in need when other bystanders are present.

Diffusion of responsibility

The tendency for individuals to feel less personally accountable to act when others are present.

Frustration-aggression principle

The idea that blocked goals or frustration increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior.

Deindividuation

Loss of self-awareness and personal identity in group settings, which can increase impulsive or aggressive acts.

Try an AP-style question

What best explains the bystanders' inaction?

1. Reciprocity norm
2. Diffusion of responsibility
3. Social facilitation
4. Cognitive dissonance