How can prosocial behavior be enhanced during crises?

Abstract

We live in a time where recurring crises, surrounded with information about how to behave to reduce the negative effects of the crises. Encouraging prosocial behavior has been shown to reduce the negative effects, therefore, it is important to examine what promotes prosociality when disaster strikes. This exploratory study examines twelve articles, published in the field of psychology during the period 2021-2023, to identify which factors promote prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 crisis. The result shows that social identity, knowledge transfer, and expected efficacy of behavior change, with respect to internal drivers and the context, were all important factors for improving prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 crisis. This can provide insights into how we can promote prosocial behavior and prepare for future crises.