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Being Helped: the Positive and the Negative of It

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Submitted By scheek555
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According to the social exchange theory, a person's tendency for altruistic behavior is based on the cost-benefit analysis of any action. It is a theory based on self-interest (Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2006).

Consider this situation. I see a vacant house that I’d love to own. I picture myself landscaping the front yard with exotic flowers and bushes. One day, I walk by this house and notice that a family has begun squatting. They are obviously homeless. Do I try to purchase the home through a Sheriff's sale, evict the squatters, and realize my dream house and exotic garden? Do I leave the family alone, knowing there is one less family on the streets?

The social exchange theory proposes that the basic formula for predicting the behavior for any individual in any situation is: Behavior (profits) = Rewards of interaction – costs of interaction (Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2006). Rewards can come in many forms, such as social approval, self-worth, or your dream house. Punishments also come in many forms, from extremes like public humiliation for a family of squatters, to subtle gestures like a raised eyebrow or a frown in the direction of the homeless.

Observing the conditions would evoke feelings of sympathy and compassion for the squatters. My empathic concern would motivate me to help by means of leaving the family alone, regardless of what I had to gain. If we do not feel empathy, then social exchange concerns will come into play (Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2006).

Being helped can engender both positive and negative feelings. According to the attribution theory, people are motivated to understand why they need help and why others are offering to help them. If we perceive that people are helping us because they genuinely care about us and our welfare, we may get an ego boost. On the other hand, if accepting aid implies that we are incompetent,

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