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Harming In Order To Help: An Empirical Characterization of Prosocial Aggression.

Samuel J West1, Gregory John Depow2, Drew M Parton3

  • 1Department of Psychology, Virginia State University.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Prosocial aggression, where harm is inflicted to help someone, exists and is influenced by beliefs about altruism. This behavior combines aggressive and altruistic traits, showing complex motives in social interactions.

Keywords:
aggressionaltruismhelpingprosocial aggressionprosocial behavior

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Individuals sometimes inflict harm with the intention of benefiting the target of their aggression.
  • This phenomenon, termed "prosocial aggression," suggests a complex interplay between harmful and helpful motives.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the nature of prosocial aggression.
  • To investigate the beliefs, behaviors, and underlying traits associated with prosocial aggression.
  • To challenge models that view harm and help as opposing forces.

Main Methods:

  • Six studies involving 1,527 participants were conducted.
  • Methods included examining beliefs about altruistically-motivated aggression, assessing antisocial and prosocial traits, and observing prosocially-aggressive behavior in controlled scenarios.
  • Experiments manipulated the amount of harm and help provided by aggression.

Main Results:

  • Many participants believed prosocial aggression exists and exhibited a self-serving bias regarding its altruism.
  • Beliefs about prosocial aggression correlated with both antisocial and prosocial traits.
  • Participants engaged in prosocial aggression, balancing harm and help, particularly towards those who had previously been kind.

Conclusions:

  • Prosocial aggression demonstrates that harm- and help-based motives can coexist and interact dynamically.
  • This challenges the view of harm and help as opponent processes.
  • Findings highlight the nuanced nature of aggressive behavior, even towards the same target.