Before agreeing to help out at the local homeless shelter, Sharon weighs the costs (e.g., getting up at dawn) and benefits (e.g., feeling good about herself) of doing so. This strategy would be predicted by

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sharon's weighing of the costs and benefits of helping at the homeless shelter is an example of social-exchange theory, which suggests that people will only engage in behaviors that benefit them in some way or have a positive outcome. Specifically, Sharon is weighing the costs (such as waking up early) and benefits (such as feeling good about herself) before deciding whether or not to volunteer. The empathy-altruism hypothesis would suggest that Sharon would help regardless of the costs or benefits because of her empathic concern for others. The social responsibility norm would suggest that Sharon would feel obligated to help because it is her social responsibility to do so. Social comparison theory would not necessarily be relevant in this scenario.

Before Agreeing to Help Out at the Local Homeless Shelter