In the article, prosocial behavior is analyzed from a multilevel perspective comprising three levels. The levels are the “meso” level , the micro level and the macro level . The meso level perspective involves the study of helper –recipient dyads based on a particular situation. The micro level perspective analyzes the origins of prosocial inclinations and the variations in these tendencies. The macro level perspective involves the analysis of prosocial behavior that occurs within social groups and organizations (Penner, et. al 2005). The article authors heavily drew on previous research done on various levels of analysis. The article’s argument is therefore based on research findings of various experts in the social psychology field.
Prosocial behavior is described as a set of actions that are considered to be socially beneficial to other people in a social context. In the meso level of analysis, the prosocial behavior of helping other people was analyzed. The primary question that guided the analysis at this level was why people help in different situations. The emotions of an individual were identified as a significant motivating factor of prosocial behavior. Reference is made on research findings that identify empathic arousal as fundamental to why people help (Penner, et. al 2005). The impact of emotional arousal on helping behavior is dependent on the emotions that are produced in different situations. For instance, in critical situations, an individual may feel upset and distressed which prompts a helping behavior aimed at relieving the emotional distress of the individual (Batson, 1991). In less severe situations, feelings of sympathy are likely to motivate an individual to help to improve the situation of the person in need.
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In the micro level analysis, biological and genetic bases of action, personality factors and developmental processes are used to explain the origin of prosocial inclinations. In the biological explanation, empathy was identified as an important determinant of prosocial actions. Researchers agree that empathic reactions influence the prosocial behavior of most individuals. The empathic responses are innate and present in all humans at birth (Penner, et. al 2005). The tendency to experience empathy will, therefore, influence helping behavior in social situations. Under the developmental processes, emotionality is identified as a key consideration in understanding prosocial responses. Individuals with positive emotionality are likely to be prosocial while those with negative emotionality are less likely to be prosocial (Bruyneel, et.al2009). The article further postulates that empathy inclination is dependent on an individual’s personality (Penner, et. al 2005). Individuals who exhibit high levels of empathy in their childhood are more likely to depict similar empathy in their adulthood. Such individuals are more predisposed to have prosocial behavior.
In the macro level analysis, prosocial behaviors are analyzed from an organizational context. The focus is on volunteering and other related behaviors. Among the factors that influence the decision to volunteer is the dispositional empathy of an individual (Penner, et. al 2005). An individual’s willingness to engage in voluntary activities depends on the personality inclinations such as empathy which impact their decision making. For instance, empathetic emotions towards refugees may influence an individual to volunteer as a social worker in a refugee camp. Also the cooperation prosocial action discussed in the macro level analysis gave insight into the influence of emotions on prosocial behavior. Studies show that individuals who portray empathy for their partners are more likely to cooperate than those who do not. Prosocial behavior such as helping is more likely to be extended to a person in need if help giver is empathetic towards that individual.
The article has demonstrated in all the three levels of analysis that emotions have a considerable influence on social cognitive functioning. The predisposition to prosocial actions is dependent on the emotional constructs of an individual. The article has also demonstrated that emotions are social constructs. The social setup of an individual has a significant influence on the emotional development of an individual. For instance, in a social context that encourages interdependence, an individual is likely to develop a sense of social responsibility that consequently results in affective empathy (Penner, et. al 2005). Dispositional empathy leads to a personality that allows an individual to be predisposed to empathetic emotions.
References
Batson, C. D. (1991). The altruism question: Toward a social psychological answer (p. 80). New Hillsdale, NY: Erlbaum .
Bruyneel, S. D., Dewitte, S., Franses, P. H., & Dekimpe, M. G. (2009). I felt low and my purse feels light: Depleting mood regulation attempts affect risk decision making. Journal of Behavioral Decision Making , 22 (2), 153-170.
Penner, L. A., Dovidio, J. F., Piliavin, J. A., & Schroeder, D. A. (2005). Prosocial behavior: Multilevel perspectives. Annu. Rev. Psychol. , 56 , 365-392.
