Comparison Matrix Paper Random acts of kindness, altruistic and prosocial behavior can elaborate to being a hero. An elderly lady is standing in a grocery line fumbling through her bag to find the change needed to complete her transaction, yet she ends up empty handed. A young man behind here hesitates to ask if he could be of assistance, yet the heroic behavior would be to give her the amount needed to complete the transaction, a prosocial behavior. Prosocial behavior is any act performed with the goals of benefiting another person (Aronson, Wilson, & Akert, 2010). This comparison matrix paper will show the differences and similarities of the authors by comparing their introductions, the purpose of each study, their research questions, the literature reviews, the sample population, study limitations, results and conclusions, and suggested topics for future studies. Franco, Blau, and Zimbardo (2011) offer a straightforward definition of heroism as to act in a prosocial manner without a personal gain. They continue by explaining that only a few can reach heroic status and must be equipped with the proper skills or luck. Whereas, Harvey, Erdos, and Turnbull (2009) defines heroism in their article’s introduction as a man or woman of distinguished bravery, a person who is reverenced and put on a pedestal, or any famous person. These researchers find differences in opinions as to the definition of heroism. Franco et al. (2011) argues heroes work without capital gains; whereas,
Heroes willfully put their own life in the place of someone else’s. In other words, a hero risks their life for another person because they wish to benefit the society they live in. This creates a more superior society for the
A hero's place in society has remained relatively consistent since the very beginning of time. Throughout the years, people have seen many different versions of larger-than-life heroes, who have completed seemingly impossible tasks and persevered through immense adversity. The common denominator between all of these heroes has always been that each and every one of these beings has put his/her own life in danger and fought great battles in the pursuit of a better life for mankind as a whole.
Although the most prominent heroes are known for their incredible impacts on society, people who make small differences in others lives can still be considered heroic. In most cases, small acts of kindness can make significant differences in others lives, such as making their day or giving them hope during a difficult time. Even though these actions do not necessarily have a big initial impact, they can provoke others to act similarly, causing a chain reaction. Ultimately, small, heroic, acts can have a big impact on society and other individuals over
• Ancient ideals of heroism vs. medieval ideals of heroism – Who can be a hero? What does a hero look like? What actions are heroic? What qualities are heroic? •
In the eyes of today’s society, heroes are viewed as citizens who have accomplished what seems to be the impossible. Whether imaginary or not, heroes are looked at with awe and congratulated for what they have done for the society. However, there is a much simpler way to be a hero. A hero does not have to be able to climb walls, fly over the city, or even save someone from a burning building right before it crumbles down. A hero is simply someone who goes out of the way to give help to those around them that need it. This hero does not need recognition in what he or she does, but takes pride in what they have accomplished for others. In the novel Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis, Bardia, the King’s lead guard, acts as the hero for Orual
When one thinks of heroes, names such as Ghandi, Martin Luther King, and Mother Theresa often come to mind. These people had done a lot of favors, courage, helps, and more of things for the people who needed them. The true definition of hero is a man of distinguished valor. Bravery, courage, intrepidity, boldness, daring, and prowess in war are a hero’s characteristics. However a hero is understood to be different to everyone. Upon closer examination, many different qualities than these become apparent. The definition of heroism changes with the context and time. Heroes of the past are not necessarily heroes of present time and vise versa. A person can be a hero for saving the life of one or of millions.
Heroes have achieved many feats that support the belief of a greater good and expressing valor and selflessness through the ages. There are fictional or real life accounts that have recognized these men and women for their vigor and marked them as heroes due to their events of success and motives of committing the heroic deeds. Yet there are copious amounts of people who have sacrifice themselves for a greater good but they have been lost through time even if their actions were prosperous or doomed in the end with a valiant purpose. They are unsung heroes who committed the actions based on their inner fire of what is right or honorable or rather than the fame they hope to achieve from those acts. The world or a populous may not know of their actions, but the actions and beliefs of an individual or group can entitle them of being hero-like without the necessity of recognition and success. They have lost their lives or a part of themselves to a cause based on righteousness rather than self-gain. They presented selfless heroism rather than the the intention to receive praise from the victories. Sacrifice contributes more to Heroism because the individual invested his or her own determination, valor and accepting the opportunity to risk their self-health (physical or psychological) based on great intentions rather than reaping the accolades of committing good deeds.
The term “hero” in modern day English is defined as someone who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities, but who and as well as what makes a hero is more up to the eyes of the beholder than anything else. While a hero for many is someone that plays a role model figure in their lives, many a time do they forget that they themselves are one of the most heroic and courageous persons in their lives. Tasks such as overcoming crippling depression, working up the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone and try something new, or working through a traumatic death in a family are all examples of invisible heroes, heroes that cannot be seen but are felt instead. These “invisible heroes” play a role in shaping us into who we are, and many times fight battles within us that we do not even know are taking
Heroes are those who have gone above what the average person would do to ensure the welfare of others. Natural disasters, terrorism, poverty, and war are some of the many things that destroy and end people’s lives. Throughout history, many people have made a difference. However, as history progresses, what we consider to be socially normal changes along with our definition of a hero. In Ancient Greece, Theseus, Hercules, and Perseus were considered heroes, but today only Theseus and Perseus would be considered heroes because Hercules would be shunned by society.
The basic definition of heroism involves exceptional courage when facing danger. In today’s society, that definition still stands, but it has been improved. Now, heroism tends to involve ordinary people who are faced with an obstacle or emergency, and have to act out of the norm to protect or save others. These people go out of their way to help solve a problem and benefit others. Heroes always have a choice in the matter, and they choose to do what is right.
A homeless man who saves his money to share with another, whether it is $10 or $50, is more heroic than a billionaire who gives away hundreds. A person who pushes a child out of the way of an oncoming car, at the risk of his own life, is heroic. A mother who guards her child with her life against an armed criminal is
Prosocial behavior, the act of helping with no personal gain, is displayed in everyday life, without much
Why do people have the incentive to help others? How does doing such a thing benefit them? Do specific people help more than others, and why? Altruism is identified as the behaviour that benefits others at a personal cost to the performing individual (Wilson, D.S and Dugatkin, L.A, 1992). Altruism can be performed in many diverse ways, and could assist various people that are dealing with many different situations. Prosocial behaviour, however, is acknowledged as the actions that help other people or the entire society as a whole (Twenge, Ciarocco, Baumeister, & Bartels, 2007). In other words, prosocial behaviour could be defined as a way of helping people, that may result in the person who is helping, to personally give up their time, money or any sacrifices to be useful to the opposite person in need. Psychologists have suggested that this particular behaviour may be greater than the associated costs, concerning the human longing to belong to a group. It has also been said that helping accelerates group work and in turn, may be responsible for individuals having vast benefits for the long run (Twenge et al., 2007). Altruism and prosocial behaviour can be seen as the descriptions of helping people. The outcome of this essay will thoroughly explain the background of model of helping behaviour and how these factors are put into practice to make people likely to want to help others, as well as discussing the attributes of the helper and the kind of people who specifically tend
There are many heroes, but there are those who sit back and question what or who makes a hero in today’s society. It has never been a set standard for heroes. In this modern world, there are many types of heroes. In today’s media, there is a contrast between million dollar sports figures, glorified celebrities, and the normal people we call heroes. Some heroes receive no recognition and others receive hero status with ease. However, it has yet to be determined whether our meaning of heroes has changed due to this influence. We have known about the
The quality of heroism can be shown in the everyday life and people. George Bernard Shaw a playwright and a public figure said,“Every reasonable man (and woman) is a potential scoundrel and a potential good citizen. What a man is depends upon his character; what a man does, and what we think of what he does, depends upon his circumstances” (Shaw). When you see your peers they might not look special or have superpowers that can save the whole galaxy from an evil demon. Although they can still show heroism that you might not see or notice. In addition to heroism being in most people it can also be faint. Arthur Ashe who was a inspiration to many from being the first black player selected to the United States Davis Cup team states,“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost” (Ashe). This quote displays that heroism can be a subtle act that doesn't have to expressed greatly but puts others before yourself. This also shows that heroism does not have to be publicly announced. This quality