Cooperation and Prosocial Behaviour

by Edited by Robert A. Hinde , Jo Groebel , Foreword by H. R. H. The Princess Royal

• ISBN13: 9780521391108
• ISBN10: 0521391105
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1991-11-29
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

An increasing number of people accept competitiveness as a basis for living. However, while competitiveness may have its place, cooperation is more important in many contexts, and interpersonal relationships are the most important elements in our lives. This is true not only of individuals, but also of groups and nations. In this book, prominent authors have come together to consider the nature of cooperation and prosocial behaviour at levels of social complexity ranging from the individual to the international. Successive sections cover key topics such as the relations between cooperation in animals and humans; the development of prosocial propensities in humans; aspects of the situation and of personality that increase the probability that individuals will behave prosocially; the relationships between trust, cooperation and commitment; and cooperation between groups and nations. Case studies illustrating the important issue of international cooperation are also included. The chapters are integrated by a series of useful editorials which emphasise that a full understanding of cooperation and prosocial behaviour requires us to move between different levels of social complexity.

Table of Contents

Part I. Cooperation In Animals and Humans: 1. Help, cooperation and trust in animals

2. Culture and cooperation

Part II. The Development of Prosocial Propensities: 3. The development and socialization of prosocial behaviour

4. Cross-cultural differences in assertiveness/competition vs group loyalty/cooperation

5. The development of prosocial behaviour in large-scale collective societies

6. The learning of prosocial behaviour in small-scale egalitarian societies: an anthropological view

Part III. Structural and Personality Determinants of Prosocial Behaviour: 7. Situational and personality determinants of the quantity and quality of helping

8. Perceiving the causes of altruism

9. Altruism

10. Complications and complexity in the pursuit of justice

Part IV. Trust, Cooperation and Commitment: 11. The dynamics of interpersonal trust: resolving uncertainty in the face of risk

12. Commitment old and new: social pressure and individual choice in making relationships last

13. Cooperation in a microcosm: lessons from laboratory games

14. Determinants of instrumental intra-group cooperation

Part V. Cooperation Between Groups: 15. Changing assumptions about conflict and negotiation

16. Cooperation between groups

17. The role of UNESCO in the development of international cooperation

18. USA/Soviet cooperation against terrorism: common ground

19. USA policy towards the Soviet Union from Carter to Bush.