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Explaining Prosocial Behavior from the Inter-and Within-Individual Perspectives: A Role of Positive Orientation and Positive Affect

Author

Listed:
  • Mariola Laguna

    (The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin)

  • Evelina Longis

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

  • Zofia Mazur-Socha

    (The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin)

  • Guido Alessandri

    (Sapienza University of Rome)

Abstract

Prosocial behavior is undertaken voluntarily to benefit others and includes a range of actions, such as helping, sharing, caring, and comforting. Our study concerned psychological mechanisms stimulating prosocial behavior explaining it from both the within-individual (daily fluctuations) and inter-individual (individual differences) perspectives. We tested a model in which positive orientation and positive affect directly predict within-individual variability in prosocial behavior and in which positive affect mediates the relationship between positive orientation and daily prosocial behavior. These two-level mediation mechanisms were investigated using an intensive longitudinal study design with seven daily measurements on a sample of 181 undergraduates and 1119 daily observations. The results confirm that, with personality traits, sex, and prosocial behavior during the previous day adjusted for, inter- and within-individual variability in positive orientation predict daily prosocial behavior. Inter-individual variability in positive affect is a significant predictor of prosocial behavior and a mediator between positive orientation and daily prosocial behavior. No such mediation mechanism was detected for within-individual variability in positive affect. These results suggest several recommendations on how to stimulate prosocial behavior. By stimulating the general tendency to cultivate positive affective experiences and to view life in a positive light, it may be possible to prepare people to notice and respond to the needs of others.

Suggested Citation

  • Mariola Laguna & Evelina Longis & Zofia Mazur-Socha & Guido Alessandri, 2022. "Explaining Prosocial Behavior from the Inter-and Within-Individual Perspectives: A Role of Positive Orientation and Positive Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1599-1615, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:23:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-021-00464-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-021-00464-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mariola Laguna & Guido Alessandri & Gian Vittorio Caprara, 2017. "How do you Feel About this Goal? Goal-Related Affect, Positive Orientation, and Personal Goal Realization in the Family Domain," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 827-842, June.
    2. Guido Alessandri & Antonio Zuffianò & Richard Fabes & Michele Vecchione & Carol Martin, 2014. "Linking Positive Affect and Positive Self-beliefs in Daily Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1479-1493, December.
    3. Kamas, Linda & Preston, Anne, 2021. "Empathy, gender, and prosocial behavior," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
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