Psychology

Having experienced the most devastating earthquake of the century and loosing close to 250,000 people as  well as properties valued in the tune of billions of dollars, the word hope sounded like a dirge to most of the victims in Haiti (SIC, 2010). However, the astounding positive response from people all over the world has resulted in rejuvenated optimism for the Haitians. Attkisson (2010) approximates 14.9 billion having been donated and the figures escalating with each day. This number has in fact exceeded the 14 billion estimated for rebuilding Haiti. So what really is responsible for this amazing philanthropy from all over the world

Prosocial behavior theorists suggest that human beings are social in nature and mutually affect one another through their natural selection actions (Clarke, 2003). Different people are motivated differently towards their altruistic behaviors. Most of them engage in prosocial behaviors when there is something to be gained from it.  Some do it solely on humanitarian grounds while others are enthused by the hope that the same good they do to other people will be reciprocated some day. 

As witnessed in the Haiti, Prosocial behavior is immensely supported by the church.  Philips (2010) supports this by exemplifying with the prayers, counseling, emotional support, money donations and foodstuffs that have been offered from across the religious divide. From Catholics to Protestant Christians, Muslims to the traditional believers (for instance the voodoo community), many religious groups have moved in to fill the void left by other humanitarian organizations.

Various governments have also been depicted as arduously supporting the prosocial campaigns in Haiti.  Attkisson (2010) observes that over 1 billion has been donated by the US government and more than 1 billion already pledged by the same government towards the Haiti earthquake victims. Other countries and world bodies are also documented to having pledged 8.75 billion towards the same initiative.
It is important to note the generous contribution that social sites like Twitter and Facebook have made towards relief for Haiti. Gray, a consultant from Houston, donated 10 to Red Cross after reading of fellow Twitters having made donations (Rauf, 2010). Bnabou and Tirole (2005), who are proponents of prosocial behavior theory, explain this action by saying, People commonly perform good deeds and refrain from selfish ones because of social pressure and norms that attach honor to the former and shame to the latter.

Changing minds.org (n.d.) however argue their case out differently. They observe that Evidence abounds of people helping others without asking for anything in return. This is the whole principle of charity. Their rationale for helping others is often intrinsic motivation. This can be exemplified with the actions of Stuart Johnson (an architect for the San Antonio Conservation Society). In 2004, he donated money to the relief efforts of the Indian Ocean Tsunami. A year later, he wrote another check to Hurricane Katrinas victims. And now with the Haiti earthquake, he repeated the same behavior only that this time round, he did it through his iPhone where he sent money to both the Yle Haiti foundation and the American Red Cross (Rauf, 2010).

This intrinsic motivation can further be epitomized by activities of the Yle Haiti Foundation. Despite facing multiple allegations of misusing the relief funds, there is surmountable evidence of them genuinely helping victims of the Haiti earthquake. Started in 2005 by producer, musician and social entrepreneur Wyclef Jean, the Yle Haiti foundation has been able to use statutes like education, arts, sports and community development to restore hope in Haiti. This initiative has been endowed with immense support from his wife Claudinette Jean, musicians, celebrities, world leaders, NGOs and even individuals (Yle, 2010). Other non-profit organizations that have been able to champion prosocial behavior by helping Haiti include. World Vision Haiti Earthquake Relief, UNICEF Haiti Earthquake Relief and American Red Cross among many others (STL today.com, 2010).

As a point of caution, prosocial behaviors like making donations should not be overdone. Too much of anything is dangerous. According to a recent report by Attkisson (2010), there has been an excess in donation of foodstuffs to Haitians which has had some negative effects on the economy. Firstly, indigenous farmers are having problems in selling their home-grown crops since there is a lot of free food circulating in Haiti. Secondly, poor residents from other districts in Haiti-not necessarily earthquake victims- are moving into the refugee camps and to get a share of the relief healthcare and food. These issues greatly inhibit the value for hard work and encourage laziness through overdependence on foreign aid.

In conclusion, more effort should be put by governments, religious organizations and even learning institutions towards instigating positive attitudes with regards to prosocial behavior. When people come together to help one another, not just in the time of need but also for other important aspects, so much progress can be realized both locally and globally. No man is an island, and support to others should therefore be a key component of our lives regardless of whether we gain from our acts or not.

Antisocial behaviors should be greatly discouraged and condemned since they destroy the moral fabric that holds us together and thus limiting positive development in any given society. By doing all these, the common phenomena of having to suffer alone in times of difficulties will be replaced with a loving environment where everyone is there for one another and thus making the world a better place