Cooperation and Prosocial Behaviour

This book discusses the nature of cooperation, altruism and prosocial behaviour, and the factors that make their occurrence more likely.

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

9780521391108, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 November 1991

382 pages, 5 b/w illus. 3 tables
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.2 cm, 0.68 kg

'The subject is treated in considerable breadth and depth, ideas are developed as lines of argument throughout the book, and there is much to interest the reader, whether they may be a student, an interested general reader, a social scientist or even a policy maker.' Alain Schmitt, Human Ethology Newsletter

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.

List of contributors
Foreword Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal
Introduction R. A. Hinde and J. Groebel
Part I. Cooperation In Animals and Man: Editorial
1. Help, cooperation and trust in animals A. H. Harcourt
2. Culture and cooperation R. Boyd and P. J. Richerson
Part II. The Development of Prosocial Propensities: Editorial
3. The development and socialization of prosocial behaviour P. A. Miller, J. Bernzweig, N. Eisenberg and R. A. Fabies
4. Cross-cultural differences in assertiveness/competition vs. group loyalty/cooperation H. C. Triandis
5. The development of prosocial behaviour in large-scale collective societies: China and Japan H. W. Stevenson
6. The learning of prosocial behaviour in small-scale egalitarian societies: an anthropological view E. Goody
Part III. Situational and Personality Determinants of Prosocial Behaviour: Editorial
7. Situational and personality determinants of the quantity and quality of helping J. Fultz and R. B. Cialdini
8. Perceiving the causes of altruism W. C. Swap
9. Altruism J. Heal
10. Complications and complexity in the pursuit of justice S. D. Clayton and M. J. Lerner
Part IV. Trust, Commitment and Cooperation: Editorial
11. The dynamics of interpersonal trust: resolving uncertainty in the face of risk S. D. Boon and J. G. Holmes
12. Commitment old and new: social pressure and individual choice in making relationships last M. Lund
13. Cooperation in a microcosm: lessons from laboratory games D. A. Good
14. Determinants of instrumental intra-group cooperation J. M. Rabbie
Part V. Cooperation Between Groups: Editorial
15. Changing assumptions about conflict and negotiation J. Z. Rubin
16. Cooperation between groups H. Feger
17. The role of UNESCO in the development of international cooperation F. Mayor
18. US-Soviet cooperation against terrorism: common ground I. Beliaev and J. Marks
19. US policy towards the Soviet Union from Carter to Bush E.-O. Czempiel
Name index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Animal behaviour [PSVP], Psychology [JM]