Helping behaviors are actions aimed at helping others regardless
of the consequences.
A few ways to increase helping behavior are:
- Personal identification: one way of
helping others is by personally identifying with the victim in need
of help. If we feel connected to the other person we feel a strong
emotional response to them upon seeing them suffer. Thus, we are
more likely to help those we care about or feel similar to.
- Improving prosocial norms: We must
work towards promoting prosocial behavior in school children. By
giving personal examples or models children can be taught the
social norms that support helping behavior such as altruism and
sharing. Also, installing these helping norms in ourselves, by
being self-aware leads to more helping behavior.