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Mandating altruism: The impact of using social constraints to elicit prosocial behavior
Abstract
Past research has indicated that using coercive or freedom constraining methods to obtain helping or prosocial behavior undermines intrinsic motivation to engage in these activities. Additionally, it may lead people to evaluate themselves as less helpful. Constraints are typically operationalized as material rewards or other controls that minimize feelings of self-determination. Presented here are four studies indicating that various forms of social constraint can undermine people's desire to behave prosocially and make prosocial behavior less likely in the absence of compelling constraints. Study 1 shows that threats of punishment or requirements that one must help do not diminish self-perceptions of altruism but do make later helping less likely. Study 2 indicates that using positive descriptive social norms (describing what is typical) facilitate intrinsic motivation to help; whereas, norms that are injunctive (describing what ought to be done) do not increase motivation to help others. Study 3 replicates study 2 and indicates that personal norms do contribute to understanding intrinsic motivation toward prosocial behavior. Additionally, the presentation of a norm that is a hybrid of injunctive and descriptive norms does not increase intrinsic motivation to behave prosocially. In studies 2 & 3, while there are behavioral changes, reported levels of self-perception of altruism are not affected. Studies 1, 2, & 3 indicate that decrements in self-perceived altruism are not necessary for long-term decrements in actual prosocial behaviors. Study 4 demonstrates that high school service programs do not increase later prosocial behavior and they tend to create a cynical attitude toward coerced helping.
Subject Area
Behaviorial sciences|Social psychology
Recommended Citation
Sobus, Mark Stephen, "Mandating altruism: The impact of using social constraints to elicit prosocial behavior" (1995). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI9538655.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI9538655