plz replay to this DB post. include in the replay biblical citations.
What is the current state of the research on this topic, based on the articles that you read?
As per (Pfattheicher et al., (2022), the research field of prosocial behavior is flourishing. Nonetheless, researchers cannot seem to agree on how to define prosocial behavior. In fact, sometimes they fail to define it at all. The researchers performed a review of relevant studies which investigated prosocial behavior. The researchers report that the promotion of the welfare of agents other than the prosocial actor was a common theme in almost all definitions. What is more, while scholars insist that prosocial behavior should be interpersonal (i.e., between persons), other scholars include animals as potential recipients. The researchers say further, that definitions of prosocial behavior are often different in terms of whether they focus on, costs versus benefits, a societal context, or on the context of intentions and motives (Pfattheicher et al., (2022).
Researchers van Kleef and Lelieveld (2022) state that regarding costs and benefits, definitions of prosocial behavior have included the overarching theme of: actions that benefit another. Pfattheicher et al., (2022), point out that based on this definition, from a consequentialist perspective, if the intended recipient of prosocial behavior does not experience a visible positive result than that is not prosocial behavior. Relatedly, unless it yields a result that can be seen, praying for another person would not be considered prosocial behavior. Regarding intentionality and motives, researchers (Batson & Powell, 2010) place an emphasis on the intentions behind prosocial behavior, before it occurs. Pfattheicher et al., (2022), say that based on this definition, simply having an intention to help someone passes for prosocial behavior. Regarding the definition of prosocial behavior in a social context, van Cleef and Lelieveld (2022) espouse that prosocial behavior is no more and no less than whatever the society says it is. Pfattheicher et al., (2022), say that under this definition, if societal perspectives include behavior that reduces the welfare of others (e.g., the harmful actions of militant groups) than that behavior would be considered prosocial, in that particular society.
What limitations exist in the research?
Pfattheicher et al., (2022), say that as researchers, it is important for us to define our terms. Otherwise we risk confusion and confounds in our experiments. Also, we run the risk of using terms for concepts that we think are similar but in reality are completely different. Moreover, when it comes to doing research on prosocial behavior, we should recognize the diversity of the concept. The researchers add that better definitions help us to link theory, (which is abstract) with behavior, (which is tangible).
What Biblical Truths could be applied to this area to enhance our knowledge or rese3scrh direction?
The Biblical concept of truth can be applied here in that we want to utilize terms that hold the most truth for our purposes. In John 14, we read a conversation that Jesus is having with his disciples regarding truth. Jesus says, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (NIV, John 14, 2011).
References
Batson. (2010). Empathy-induced altruistic motivation. In Prosocial motives, emotions, and behavior: the Better Angels of Our nature. (pp. 15–34). APA. https://doi.org/10.1037/12061-001Links to an external site.
NIV. (2011). John 14 NIV. Biblehub.com. https://biblehub.com/niv/john/14.htmLinks to an external site.
Pfattheicher, S., Nielsen, Y. A., & Thielmann, I. (2021). Prosocial Behavior and altruism: a Review of Concepts and Definitions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 44, 124–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.021Links to an external site.
van Kleef, G. A., & Lelieveld, G.-J. (2021). Moving the Self and Others to Do Good: The Emotional Underpinnings of Prosocial Behavior. Current Opinion in Psychology, 44(1), 80–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.029Links to an external site.
