ABSTRACT
In this chapter theories proposed specifically to explain prosocial behaviour are examined. The first, known as norm theories, do not look at pro-social behaviour from the viewpoint of each individual but take a much wider perspective and consider that pro-social behaviour is something that is learned by every member of a society as part of a set of socialised norms. These socialised norms are unwritten rules that tell us how to behave in various situations. They are social guidelines, a set of norms or societal standards for behaviour that represent the consensus about which behaviours are acceptable and encouraged and those which are unacceptable and discouraged. Norm theorists consider that all norms are internalised through the socialisation process.
