Caring, Concern, and Community Connection: New Directions in the Study of Pro-Social Action

Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Registration: 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Program: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

About the Program

Every year, millions of people around the world give freely of their time and effort to do good for others and for society.  Pro-social action -- including volunteerism, philanthropy, joining community groups and organizations, and participating in social and political activism -- involves stepping outside the confines of one's own individual interest.  Such activities also demonstrate caring, concern, and compassion for humanity by working for the common good of communities and for the benefit of society.  To answer the questions of how, when, and why people participate in pro-social action, Dr. Snyder will draw on research in psychology that provides new (and often surprising) answers to the questions of why people become involved in doing good works, what sustains their involvement over time, how their participation changes over the stages of their lives, the ways that pro-social action reflects connections between individuals and communities, and how pro-social action builds bridges between the private concerns of citizens and the collective well-being of society.

This session qualifies for 1.5 continuing education credits. You must attend the full 1.5-hour program to get continuing education credit for the event.

Participants will be able to:

1. Describe various manifestations of pro-social action, such as volunteerism, philanthropy, and social activism.
2. Discuss factors that predict people's decisions to participate in pro-social action.
3. Explain how participation in pro-social action changes over time and across life stages.

The Minnesota Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.  The Minnesota Psychological Association maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

About the Presenter:

Mark Snyder, Ph.D., is a member of the faculty of the University of Minnesota, where he holds the McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Psychology and is Director of the Center for the Study of the Individual and Society, an interdisciplinary research center devoted to the study of volunteerism, civic engagement, and other forms of pro-social action.  He received his B.A. from McGill University and his Ph.D. from Stanford University. 

Dr. Snyder has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Scientist Award from the Society of Experimental Social Psychology, the Kurt Lewin Memorial Award from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, the Donald Campbell Award for Distinguished Contributions to Social Psychology from the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, and the Lifetime Career Award from the International Society for Self and Identity. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Mental Health, as well as numerous private foundations. He has served as president of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology and the Foundation for Personality and Social Psychology, and as editor of Contemporary Social Issues, and co-editor of the Handbook of Personality and Social Psychology.

To Register:

Register Online

Click here for a printable registration form.

Refund/Cancellation Policy: A 100% refund will be made if the event is cancelled. Refunds, less a $5 handling free, will be given if a written cancellation is received at least two working days before the scheduled program begins. Transfer of fee to another program is granted if written cancellation notice is received at least one day before the program. No refund or transfer is given the day of the program.