Much of what we tend to focus on when we study social psychology are topics that often have a negative connotation such as conformity, prejudice, aggression or obedience. A huge component of the study of social psychology; however, focuses on prosocial behavior behaviors that focus on compassion and helping others. For this activity, you will focus on this more uplifting aspect of social psychology. Topics that fall under the area of prosocial behavior include altruism, helping, bystander intervention, empathy, and compassion, among others. For this exercise, pick one day and seek to structure your thoughts and behaviors entirely around helping others. With each interaction or action you take, pause to think and ask yourself is there a way I might help another here? Hold a door for someone, offer your seat, share a smile, give a sincere compliment, show empathy to another, attempt to be more patient or understanding, etc. Your efforts should be in social settings that involve interactions with others (rather than something such as donating to a charity for instance). The goal is to be as thoughtfully prosocial in your interactions throughout the day as possible. You may also engage in prosocial behavior with others virtually or through other means (e.g., through video calls, emails, etc ). This assignment will be more meaningful if you are able to engage in-person with acquaintances or strangers, but you can still find ways to make a significant difference to others even if quarantined or sheltering in place. In a 5-7 slide PowerPoint presentation, not counting title or reference slides:
