Final answer:
Self-consciousness may cause people to act altruistically or ethically, which is a display of prosocial behavior. Altruism involves selfless help for others, not driven by self-interest. Awareness of being observed, or actor-observer bias, affects personal behavior, and while humans can be selfish, they can also be compassionate and cooperative.
Step-by-step explanation:
Studies have shown that self-consciousness can influence people's behavior in various ways. For instance, self-consciousness may cause people to act altruistically to benefit others or to behave ethically. Altruism is a form of prosocial behavior that involves selfless helping of others and is not motivated purely by desire for personal gain. This suggests that self-consciousness can enhance ethical behavior rather than lead to negative outcomes such as cheating or being clumsier.
Moreover, the actor-observer bias indicates that we tend to have more information regarding the influences on our own behavior compared to others, which can affect how we judge our own and others' actions. When study subjects know they are being observed, their behavior might change, which is an important consideration in behavioral studies. While an accurate description of human behavior indicates that we have selfish tendencies, this does not preclude the capacity for caring and compassionate behavior.
Economists and psychologists discuss that people should be taught to value and demonstrate concern for others, suggesting that ethical behavior and altruism are desirable traits that can be encouraged in society.