Introduction
Helping behavior is a voluntary intention to benefit others and is common to many people. It promotes social interactions and promotes the creation of cohesive communities. Some researchers focus on genetic traits in identifying the factors that shape prosocial behavior, while others argue that the environment has a key influence. Despite these disagreements, I believe that social factors such as the environment are more significant in shaping patterns of helping behavior.
Reasoning
My reasoning is that since prosocial behavior is directed towards and interacting with other people, its formation is more influenced by the environment than genetic predispositions. Prosocial behavior can take many forms, from sacrifice and altruism to empathy and cooperation (van der Meulen et al., 2020). These human traits are acquired as a result of the inheritance by the child of the patterns of social behavior of the parents. Consequently, the social and cultural environment can significantly influence the formation of helping behavior.
Research and Examples
Some examples from recent studies confirm the reasoning. Research shows that people who live in communities with high levels of social support and mutual support tend to be more prosocial (van der Meulen et al., 2020). For example, children who grew up in highly emotionally supportive families often exhibit more helping behaviors than those who grew up in disadvantaged environments.
Moreover, in adolescence and adulthood, the model of human behavior is significantly influenced by social context and social well-being. Prosocial behavior can manifest itself as a response to global challenges. For example, Crone and Achterberg (2022) note that in the months of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping behaviors in adolescents have increased significantly. Moreover, the behavior of adolescents was largely influenced by their environment and social context. Established social bonds and relationships with other people significantly influence people’s willingness to engage in prosocial behavior (Crone & Achterberg, 2022).
Therefore, the environment and community are important predictors of human behavior. Moreover, cultural factors play an important role in shaping helping behavior (van der Meulen et al., 2020). This may include moral principles, religious beliefs, and family values. These elements completely depend on the environment and do not have a genetic connotation.
Oppositional Reasoning
In contrast, some researchers identify genetic prerequisites that may influence prosocial behavior, just as they influence the formation of character traits. For example, twin studies show that prosocial behavior can be heritable. In a study of twins, Hur (2020) found that identical twins have more similar helping behaviors than fraternal twins. This may indicate that genetic factors play a role in shaping prosocial behavior.
Moreover, van der Meulen et al. (2020) found changes in the cerebral cortex in children that are characterized by pronounced helping behavior according to information provided by their parents. In addition, certain genes may act as an additional factor for the development of prosocial behavior. For example, the serotonin gene, which is associated with the regulation of mood and emotional responses, may influence helping behavior (van der Meulen et al., 2020). This indicates the relationship between human behavior and genetic characteristics.
Counterargument
However, the oppositional reasoning can be countered by several arguments. Genetic prerequisites are still not a determining factor in the formation of helping behavior. Research in this area has some limitations that may affect the objectivity of the results. In particular, these studies are often conducted on children before key brain structures change during adolescence (van der Meulen et al., 2020). Hence, they do not reflect the changes in behavior that adolescents are prone to under the influence of the environment and peers.
However, studies involving adolescents show a greater influence of the environment on behavior. In particular, adolescents build a behavior model based on the presence of motivation, established relationships with the recipient of assistance, and an assessment of the situation and needs of others (Crone & Achterberg, 2022). Consequently, the manifestation of helping behavior in adulthood is more influenced by social factors and previously learned moral values.
Although genetics can influence a person’s behavior, particularly their character and psychological and emotional state, the environment is still a decisive factor in the formation of helping behavior. People can change their behavior and exhibit different qualities depending on external conditions and adapting to the society in which they live (van der Meulen et al., 2020). Assuming that an individual’s behavior is entirely determined by genetics, these changes would not be possible. Moreover, any models of behavior are patterns learned by a person, which they apply in a given situation based on experience. These patterns are learned in childhood and can change and adapt based on the social context.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the environment is a determining factor in shaping a person’s helping behavior. Although genetic research shows that some people have a greater predisposition to empathy and compassion, these qualities are shaped by society. The presence of established social interactions, the cultural context, values, and beliefs of an individual are factors influencing their behavior.
In addition, the importance of the environment for the formation of prosocial behavior demonstrates the ability of a person to respond differently to situations, analyzing the context and determining the needs of others. Moreover, helping behavior is aimed at others, and its models are formed based on personal experience or knowledge of a person about social interactions.
References
Crone, E. A., & Achterberg, M. (2022). Prosocial development in adolescence. Current opinion in psychology, 44, 220-225. Web.
Hur, Y. M. (2020). Relationships between cognitive abilities and prosocial behavior are entirely explained by shared genetic influences: A Nigerian twin study. Intelligence, 82, 1-10. Web.
van der Meulen, M., Wierenga, L. M., Achterberg, M., Drenth, N., van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Crone, E. A. (2020). Genetic and environmental influences on structure of the social brain in childhood. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 44, 1-13. Web.