Chapter 1. Why Do People Help? Explaining Behavior

1.1 Why Do People Help? Explaining Behavior

Short Description

The terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 demonstrated the worst and best of human nature, both human aggression and human helpfulness.

Long Description


The terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001 demonstrated the worst and best of human nature, both human aggression and human helpfulness. The extremes of behavior inevitably raise the question that is central to psychology: Why do people behave as they do? Do we find the causes of behavior in our biology? In our perceptions, thoughts or emotions? In our social-cultural setting?

In this clip, Mike and John, two World Trade Center office workers, risked their lives to help Tina escape from the 68th floor of the north tower. Located just below the point of impact on the 81st floor, Mike and John could see the horror unfolding around them. They exited by way of the fire escape. As they passed the 68th floor, they could see Tina in a wheelchair through glass doors. Without hesitation, they decided to carry her down to safety. On the 18th floor, the men declined a fireman’s offer to take Tina. Although falling debris blocked the stairwell and the lights went out, the rescuers continued the difficult path to the street. Tina was driven away in an ambulance just two minutes before the building collapsed.

Ask yourself: Why did these two office workers risk their lives to save another person? Do we have a biological instinct to help? Do powerful emotions such as empathy prompt helping? How does the social environment, for example, our parents, our schools, and our communities, foster helping? A biopsychosocial approach recognizes the influences of biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors in explaining behavior.

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