Module 45 Review

REVIEW Prosocial Relations

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

RETRIEVAL PRACTICE Take a moment to answer each of these Learning Objective Questions (repeated here from within this section). Then click the 'show answer' button to check your answers. Research suggests that trying to answer these questions on your own will improve your long-term retention (McDaniel et al., 2009).

45-1 Why do we befriend or fall in love with some people but not others?

Proximity (geographical nearness) increases liking, in part because of the mere exposure effect—exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of those stimuli. Physical attractiveness increases social opportunities and improves the way we are perceived. Similarity of attitudes and interests greatly increases liking, especially as relationships develop. We also like those who like us.

45-2 How does romantic love typically change as time passes?

Intimate love relationships start with passionate love—an intensely aroused state. Over time, the strong affection of companionate love may develop, especially if enhanced by an equitable relationship and by intimate self-disclosure.

45-3 When are people most—and least—likely to help?

Altruism is unselfish regard for the well-being of others. We are most likely to help when we (a) notice an incident, (b) interpret it as an emergency, and (c) assume responsibility for helping. Other factors, including our mood and our similarity to the victim, also affect our willingness to help. We are least likely to help if other bystanders are present (the bystander effect).

45-4 How do social exchange theory and social norms explain helping behavior?

Social exchange theory is the view that we help others because it is in our own self-interest; in this view, the goal of social behavior is maximizing personal benefits and minimizing costs. Others believe that helping results from socialization, in which we are taught guidelines for expected behaviors in social situations, such as the reciprocity norm and the social-responsibility norm.

45-5 How do social traps and mirror-image perceptions fuel social conflict?

A conflict is a perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas. Social traps are situations in which people in conflict pursue their own individual self-interest, harming the collective well-being. Individuals and cultures in conflict also tend to form mirror-image perceptions: Each party views the opponent as untrustworthy and evil-intentioned, and itself as an ethical, peaceful victim. Perceptions can become self-fulfilling prophecies.

45-6 How can we transform feelings of prejudice, aggression, and conflict into attitudes that promote peace?

Peace can result when individuals or groups work together to achieve superordinate (shared) goals. Research indicates that four processes—contact, cooperation, communication, and conciliation—help promote peace.

TERMS AND CONCEPTS TO REMEMBER

RETRIEVAL PRACTICE Match each of the terms on the left with its definition on the right. Click on the term first and then click on the matching definition. As you match them correctly they will move to the bottom of the activity.

Question

mere exposure effect
passionate love
companionate love
equity
self-disclosure
altruism
bystander effect
social exchange theory
reciprocity norm
social-responsibility norm
conflict
social trap
mirror-image perceptions
self-fulfilling prophecy
outgroup
superordinate goals
ingroup
GRIT
a perceived incompatibility of actions, goals, or ideas.
a belief that leads to its own fulfillment.
an aroused state of intense positive absorption in another, usually present at the beginning of a love relationship.
the deep affectionate attachment we feel for those with whom our lives are intertwined.
the act of revealing intimate aspects of oneself to others.
“them”—those perceived as different or apart from our ingroup.
a situation in which the conflicting parties, by each pursuing their self-interest rather than the good of the group, become caught in mutually destructive behavior.
Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction—a strategy designed to decrease international tensions.
the tendency for any given bystander to be less likely to give aid if other bystanders are present.
unselfish regard for the welfare of others.
mutual views often held by conflicting people, as when each side sees itself as ethical and peaceful and views the other side as evil and aggressive.
an expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have healped them.
the phenomenon that repeated exposure to novel stimuli increases liking of them.
a condition in which people receive from a relationship in proportion to what they give to it.
“us”—people with whom we share a common identity.
an expectation that people will help, not hurt, those who have helped them.
shared goals that override differences among people and require their cooperation.
the theory that our social behavior is an exchange process, the aim of which is to maximize benefits and minimize costs.

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