AP Psychology · Lesson 5 of 10 · Unit 4
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Why do people risk their own comfort to help strangers—and why do large crowds sometimes stand by and do nothing in an emergency? On the AP Psychology exam, this topic is a favorite for multiple-choice scenarios comparing social norms and for research-based questions testing the situational variables behind the bystander effect.
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Prosocial behavior is any action intended to benefit another person or society as a whole (such as volunteering, sharing, or comforting a friend).
Altruism is a specific form of prosocial behavior defined by an unselfish regard for the welfare of others—helping someone even when it involves a personal cost and offers no obvious reward. However, some psychologists argue that much of what looks like pure altruism actually reflects incurred social debt. From this perspective, people keep an informal mental ledger of favors and costs; helping others is often a way to pay back past help, relieve personal distress, or earn future goodwill.
Even when we do not calculate personal rewards, deeply learned social expectations guide our prosocial actions:
| Norm | Definition | Classic Exam Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Social reciprocity norm | The expectation that people will return favors and help those who have helped them (“an eye for an eye” in a positive sense). | A neighbor waters your plants while you are away, so you later shovel snow from their driveway. Similarly, a charity mails free address labels to create a sense of obligation before asking for a donation. |
| Social responsibility norm | The expectation that people will help those who are dependent on them or need assistance, even if those individuals can never return the favor. | Donating anonymously to a disaster relief fund, giving up a bus seat to an older adult, or caring for a young child. |
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