Chapter 20 - Avoiding and Alleviating Guilt through Prosocial Behavior

Abstract

Prosocial behavior is generally defined as encompassing actions that are voluntary and that specifically benefit another person. Feelings of guilt motivate individuals to engage in prosocial actions that mend, repair, or remedy damaged relationships once transgressions occur. These guilt feelings also help individuals avoid behaviors that threaten or damage relationships. Prosocial behaviors benefit both the victim and the perpetrator in that the victim benefits from reparative acts and both the victim and perpetrator benefit from strengthened social bonds. Expressions of guilt and reparative acts show that the transgressor values the relationship. Such findings have implications for how to facilitate, teach, and promote prosocial behavior in children as well as how to create a social climate that supports prosocial behavior among adults. Recent research demonstrates that feelings of guilt play an important role in the initiation, development, and maintenance of important personal relationships. Although chronic guilt is unhealthy, pre-dispositional guilt may be an indispensible ingredient in a healthy social life.