Program on Prosocial Behavior

Criminology has always been only “half” of a field. Its focus is limited to antisocial behavior, with almost no attention ever given to prosocial activities. That is, criminologists ask why people do, or do not, commit crimes; they rarely ask why people do, or do not do, good deeds.

Program on Prosocial Behavior emphasizes the neglected “half” of human behavior. For example, why do so many people generously give money to help those in need? Or, why do most of the people reared in ‘bad’ neighborhoods turn out not only to be law-abiding but to be good citizens? Indeed, how are people transformed from antisocial patterns of behavior to positive patterns? In keeping with the overall mission of ISR, the role of religion in promoting prosocial behavior will be the central concern. Not only the role of religiousness in guiding individual behavior but the role of faith-based groups and organizations in fostering prosocial activities.

Relevant Studies on Prosocial Corrections