Urvashi decides to help a friend find their lost cat because they are good friends, and also because they can play with the cat when they find it. This is an example of
A prosocial behavior.
B cooperation.
C empathy.
D simple social play.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: A. Prosocial behavior
Explanation:
Urvashi’s actions—helping a friend find their lost cat—fall under prosocial behavior, which refers to voluntary actions intended to benefit others. These behaviors include helping, sharing, donating, cooperating, and volunteering. What distinguishes prosocial behavior is that it is driven by a motivation to improve another’s well-being or alleviate their distress, even if some benefit to the helper is involved.
In this scenario, Urvashi is motivated partly because of her friendship (a social bond), which often encourages prosocial actions, and also because of the opportunity to play with the cat—a personal benefit. However, the presence of a self-serving motive (e.g., playing with the cat) does not negate the prosocial nature of the act, as prosocial behavior can be driven by both altruistic and selfish motives.
Why Not the Other Options?
- B. Cooperation:
Cooperation involves working together with others toward a common goal, typically requiring joint effort. In this case, while Urvashi is helping, there is no indication that she and the friend are working together in a coordinated way, or that the goal requires mutual input—it’s more of an individual helpful act, not cooperation. - C. Empathy:
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. While empathy may have influenced Urvashi’s decision to help, the behavior itself (helping find the cat) is categorized as prosocial, not as empathy directly. - D. Simple social play:
Social play refers to playful interactions, especially among children or animals, not acts of helping or assisting others. While playing with the cat may follow the helpful act, the act itself is not play.
Summary:
Urvashi’s action is best described as prosocial behavior—voluntarily helping a friend with some benefit to both the friend and herself.