Prosocial Behavior
What is Prosocial Behavior?
Prosocial behaviors refer to voluntary actions intended to benefit or support others, such as helping, sharing, volunteering, and donating. These behaviors are crucial for fostering positive social relationships, building trust, and strengthening interpersonal connections within communities.
The Basic Idea
In 1938, Superman debuted as the world’s first costumed, alter-egoed, super-powered hero.1 Captivating audiences with logic-defying stories of public service (and his unique fashion choices), Superman brought new life to long-standing values of selflessness and social justice.
While the powers of levitation, mind-reading, and invisibility remain confined to our wildest imaginations (for now), our admiration of heroic deeds is very much based in reality. Prosocial behaviors describe actions that intentionally benefit the well-being of other individuals or groups of people.2 Like the name suggests, prosocial behaviors help create positive relationships and strengthen social bonds. Whether it’s giving a stranger directions or comforting a close friend, such acts are a foundational piece of our social lives. Without cooperation and helpfulness, communities and societies as we know them wouldn’t exist.
Prosociality is closely linked to altruism, which is the motivation to help others regardless of personal gain. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, they are subtly different. Prosocial behavior is largely defined by its positive consequences, while altruism has more to do with our motivations than the physical outcomes of our actions.3,4 Take, for example, volunteering for a local charity. The act of volunteering itself is a prosocial behavior, while the desire to help others is altruism at its core. Importantly, prosocial behaviors are not necessarily altruistic; we might also help others out of self-interest, such as volunteering to improve our own social reputation.
Given its vital role in daily interactions, it’s no surprise that prosocial behaviors begin early in life. Prosociality is most often studied in the field of developmental psychology, since researching the development of prosocial behaviors tells us important information about how and why we act prosocially throughout the rest of our lives. Researchers and child psychologists commonly use prosocial acts such as helping and sharing to track emotional development.5 These achievements are more than worthy of displaying on the refrigerator; considering other people’s needs is an important developmental milestone that shapes the rest of our social lives.
Do good to others, and every man can be a Superman.
— Superman (Clark Kent)6
About the Author
Celine Huang
Celine Huang is a Summer Content Intern at The Decision Lab. She is passionate about science communication, information equity, and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding decision-making. Celine is a recent graduate of McGill University, holding a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Cognitive Science and Communications. Her undergraduate research examined the neurobiology of pediatric ADHD to improve access to ADHD diagnoses and treatments. She also sits on the North American Coordinating Committee of Universities Allied for Essential Medicines (UAEM), where she applies her behavioral science background to health equity advocacy. In her free time, Celine is an avid crocheter and concertgoer.
