prosocial

adjective

pro·​so·​cial (ˌ)prō-ˈsō-shəl 

variants or pro-social

: intended to help or benefit another person or group

The capacity to notice the distress of others, and to be moved by it, can be a critical component of what is called prosocial behavior, actions that benefit others: individuals, groups or society as a whole.

—Perri Klass

This research implies that toddlers are wired for learning pro-social behaviors, and will develop them if they are modeled in the context of a supportive relationship.

—Heather Neal

… experiences such as abuse can also prohibit people from acting in prosocial ways.

—Alia E. Dastagir

also : relating to or promoting behavior that benefits others or society

a prosocial family/group

Prosocial emotions like empathy motivate us to benefit others in our group.

—Eoin O'Carroll

… quieting fear-related memories is apparently so potent in its prosocial effects—making people friendlier, more compassionate, even more loving—that it underscores how unchecked fear memories can make people antisocial and miserable.

—Scott A. Small

Examples of prosocial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This trait is also moderately linked to lower risk of personality disorders due to its association with prosocial behaviors and a low tendency toward deceit or exploitation. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Done deliberately, prosocial AI is a win-win-win-win for each global party in the global game of life. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024

To truly fulfill the promise of prosocial AI, developers must ensure that their systems are trained on diverse datasets, reflecting the full spectrum of disability experiences​, a wide range of demographic groups, and social profiles. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick the President is part of Our World, the brand’s global prosocial initiative to inspire kids and provide them with tools to activate their individual and collective agency. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

pro- entry 2 + social entry 1

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above