What is the primary difference between Diffusion of Responsibility and Pluralistic Ignorance?

Diffusion of Responsibility refers to the reduction in felt pressure to act because others are present. Pluralistic Ignorance refers to the tendency to look to others to interpret if a situation is actually an emergency.

How does the 'Cost of Helping' differ from the 'Cost of Not Helping'?

The Cost of Helping involves the risks or effort the helper faces (e.g., danger, time). The Cost of Not Helping involves the negative psychological or social consequences of ignoring the victim (e.g., guilt, public shame).

When comparing Social Factors and Dispositional Factors, which one focuses on the environment?

Social Factors focus on external environmental stimuli and situational variables. Dispositional Factors focus on internal personality traits, skills, and individual characteristics.

Why is it a mistake to assume that 'bystander apathy' means people are simply cold-hearted?

Bystander apathy is often a result of situational pressures like diffusion of responsibility and evaluation apprehension, rather than a lack of empathy or a 'bad' personality.

What is the common misconception regarding group size and the likelihood of help?

Many believe that more people at a scene increases the chance of help, but social psychology shows that larger groups actually decrease the likelihood of any single individual intervening.

Does similarity to a victim always guarantee help?

No, while similarity increases the likelihood of help, it can still be overridden by other social factors like high personal cost or the presence of a large, inactive crowd.

Define the 'Bystander Effect'.

The phenomenon where the presence of other people inhibits an individual from helping in an emergency situation.

What is 'Evaluation Apprehension' in the context of prosocial behaviour?

The fear of being judged by others, which may prevent a person from helping if they are afraid of making a mistake or looking foolish in public.

What is 'In-group Favoritism'?

The tendency for people to be more helpful and empathetic toward individuals who belong to the same social group as themselves.

How does 'Time Pressure' act as a social factor in helping?

Being in a hurry increases the perceived cost of helping (loss of time), making individuals less likely to notice an emergency or stop to assist.

Social Factors in Prosocial Behaviour | AQA GCSE Psychology

Social Factors in Prosocial Behaviour

Summary

Social factors in prosocial behaviour refer to external environmental stimuli and situational variables that influence an individual's decision to help others. Unlike internal personality traits, these factors focus on how the presence of other people, the perceived costs of action, and the relationship between the helper and the victim dictate the likelihood of intervention.

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Social Factors are external environmental influences that shape human behavior, specifically the choice to engage in prosocial behaviour (voluntary actions intended to benefit others).
These factors suggest that helping is not just a result of being a 'good person' but is heavily dependent on the immediate context and social environment.
Key social variables include the number of bystanders, the perceived cost of helping, and the social identity or similarity shared with the person in need.

2. The Presence of Others: The Bystander Effect

The Bystander Effect is the phenomenon where the likelihood of an individual helping decreases as the number of observers increases.
Diffusion of Responsibility occurs in large groups because the psychological pressure to act is shared among all present, leading each person to believe someone else will take charge.
Pluralistic Ignorance involves looking to others to define an ambiguous situation; if no one else is reacting, individuals assume the situation is not an emergency.
Evaluation Apprehension refers to the fear of being judged by others for acting incorrectly or overreacting in a public setting.

A flowchart showing the cognitive steps required for a bystander to intervene, highlighting where social factors like pluralistic ignorance and diffusion of responsibility can stop the process.

3. Cost of Helping and Not Helping

Situational factors often involve a Cost-Reward Analysis, where the potential helper weighs the consequences of their actions.
Costs of Helping include physical danger, time lost, effort required, or potential social embarrassment.
Costs of Not Helping include feelings of guilt, blame from others, or the psychological distress of seeing a victim suffer.
If the cost of helping is too high (e.g., a dangerous environment), people are less likely to intervene regardless of their personal values.

4. Similarity and Social Identity

5. Key Distinctions

6. Exam Strategy & Tips