Prosocial Behavior Altruistic Grateful and Forgiving Attitudes Questions

This week, we are looking at pro-social behavior: Empathy, Altruism, Attachment, Love, and Flourishing. These are emotions and behaviors that connect us to other people and that create and strengthen group and societal bonds.

1.) How can we cultivate altruistic, grateful, and forgiving attitudes and behaviors in ourselves? How can we help others to cultivate these? Can we “really” forgive, or is it that we can “forget” the behaviors that we perceived to be affronts to ourselves?

2.) Is altruism really non-egotistical? Meaning, that most of us (although we may not think of it at the actual time of the behavior) will feel “good” that we did something for someone. Is there not personal benefit, then (a sense of well-being that we did something good)?

3.)Why are pro-social behaviors considered so important in human existence?

*Total 300 words minimum, two references*

Resources: