Prosocial Behaviour

The Limbic Energy Hypothesis Perspective

Abstract

Prosocial behaviours are the pillars of successful, communal and peaceful societies. They hold the core values and norms that make up humane and habitable societies. Many studies have shown that different social factors are responsible for prosocial behaviours. prosocial or anti-social responses could be translations of positive or negative emotional (limbic) energy, implying that the energy type which saturates a person's limbic system predisposes that person to certain behaviours, not others: irritable, anxious or moody persons are less likely to get along well in a group than those who are attractive and charming. It is persuasive therefore that people who possess negative limbic energy will be less prosocial than those who possess positive limbic energy. Indeed, observations that some
communities and social groups are generally more prosocial than others seem to buttress this point. Since prosocial behaviour facilitates development, parents, government officials, teachers, religious leaders and political leaders should create enabling environments that facilitate accumulation of positive limbic energy, which is a prelude to internalization of prosocial behaviour.