Altruism and Agression
by Joe Kalil and Kyle Powers
Under what conditions are we more likely to help others?
Altruism
Altruism is described as unselfish regard for the welfare of others. Examples include saving someone from a burning building or directing students to safety during a school shooting.
Bystander Intervention
Biologically the amygdala encourages the human response to fear of another life being taken. It is natural for humans to help others especially in life or death situations.
Researchers
John Darley and Bibb Latane were psychologists who focused on the question of whether or not bystanders would intervene on behalf of another person. They discovered it relied on the circumstances and situations. If important enough most bystanders intervene however in many trivial situations a lot of bystanders did nothing.
John Darley
Psychologists who researched the circumstances that determine when a bystander will intervene on behalf of another person.
Bibb Latane
Psychologists who researched the circumstances that determine when a bystander will intervene on behalf of another person.
The Unresponsive Bystander: Why Doesn't He Help?
This is their book that published their findings.
Research Results
From the research, psychologists have found that people are more likely to help someone if they are not in a hurry, believe the victim deserves help, are in a good mood, believe the victim is similar to us, are feeling guilty, are in a small town or rural are, and/or just saw someone else being helpful.
Aggression
Testosterone and hormones basically are the two biological features that make up aggression. There are two types of aggression, high and low, based off these two features. The main functionary element in humans brains that set the aggression off though is the hypothalamus.
Why?
People have different tickers and some are easily set off while others are not. Most humans experience aggression in fight or flight situations and can not control themselves. The reasons for aggression are caused by the amygdala. Almost all people who show aggression are afraid.