Prosocial Behaviour Definition and Scope

The term that describes an act designed to help others, irrespective of the helper's underlying motive, is Prosocial Behaviour. This definition emphasizes the action itself (helping) and its intended outcome (benefiting others), without requiring a specific internal motivation like pure selflessness.

Analyzing the Options

• Prosocial Behaviour: This is a broad category encompassing all voluntary actions intended to benefit others. It covers helping, sharing, comforting, and cooperating. Crucially, it doesn't depend on the helper's motive; acts done out of empathy, duty, or even potential personal gain (like reputation) fall under this umbrella if they help someone.
• Altruism: Altruism involves helping others with the primary intention of benefiting the other person, often at some cost to oneself. This requires a specific motive (disinterested concern for others), which contradicts the question's condition of "regardless of the helper's motive."
• Nurturance: This refers to providing care, support, and encouragement for development. While often helpful, it's a specific type of interaction and not a general term for all helping acts.
• Social obligation: This describes helping because of a perceived duty or societal expectation. This is a specific motive for helping, making it a subset of prosocial behaviour, but not the overarching term that applies regardless of motive.

Conclusion on Prosocial Behaviour

Based on the definition provided in the question ("helps or is designed to help others regardless of the helper’s motive"), Prosocial Behaviour is the most accurate and encompassing term.