In this learning activity, you will discuss, from a social psychological perspective, the underlying factors that motivate individuals to help others by studying the following excerpt.

Leonardo DiCaprio has been an avid supporter of climate action and environmental justice. The DiCaprio Foundation has funded and supported numerous projects geared towards environmental conservation. He sits on the board for several environmental organizations and has been honored and recognized for his philanthropic work on many occasions. From a social psychological perspective, explain the underlying factors that motivate individuals to help others.

Adapted from: https://www.un.org/en/messengers-peace/leonardo-dicaprio

Instructions: 

Step 1: Analyze

Reflect on the information about Leonardo DiCaprio and his climate change activism.

Step 2: Respond

Discuss what underlying factors/human motivations are responsible for individuals helping others or demonstrating altruistic behavior.

Step 3: Personal Reflection 

Relate this topic to your personal life. Include what factors are responsible for determining whether you help someone or not.

Step 4: Respond

Present this information as a commentary (250-500 words in length).

Step 5: Share

To share your work, click on the “Add a new discussion topic” button under this post and paste your work in the “Message” box. Make sure to reference others’ intellectual property when necessary. All references should follow 7th Edition APA formatting. For further instructions, see the resource on the Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library: APA citation resource (N.B. references are excluded from word counts).

Step 6: Interact

To complete the activity, you will need to reply to at least two posts made by your peers in a respectful and professional manner. Be sure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas on other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”

OPTIONAL Step 7: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”