I would definitely want to help people; however, I would weigh it out carefully against the safety and well-being of my family and make the best possible decision.

If I get back to my hometown like I want to, everyone would band together, that is just the way of things there - when the town flooded a few years back, my dad, cousins, and other men from town shored up a piece of the highway that had washed out before the state authorities could even get there. No one would even question the need to protect, defend, and care for one another there, and they're all hard-working people with loads of military, agricultural, mechanical and wilderness experience.

I'd do some of each. I would be hard-pressed to not assist someone who was being robbed or raped. But if there were total chaos I would probably realize that I had to escape or die. My preference would be to stay in place and create a community, but there would have to be a realistic chance of that being successful or I'd probably bug out.

I agree with Survival Mama and Horse.
I would want to help as much as possible, but be very cautious. Also as Horse mentioned the type of disaster and the mindset of everyone else. My preference is to be part of a community as well....BUT if there is complete chaos, yeah I'm bugging out.
Where I was at the time would factor into my decision. If I was near to or where I call "home" that would make a difference. Knowing all the people around and knowing if they could be reasoned with would factor in before a bug out.
If I was out solo traveling or out traveling with a core group of friends that would also be part of the decision.
I think there are too many unknowns pre-disaster to really say what I would or would not do. Who knows, with the knowledge of being able to survive on my own, and being prepared that might make me bug out quicker and leave everyone else to their own devices. Having to be dependent or being unprepared could cause people to put in more effort.
So yeah, my answer might seem like a cop out but I'm going to weigh my options at the time. I'm not backing myself into a corner and saying I will be doing "this" or "that" prior to knowing the situation and all the options.
For instance, at the moment I'm back at "home base". There are now things lurking on the tropical horizon in the Atlantic. Because of the economy, most of the male friends I have would benefit from some damage here. In this particular instance we are planning a core group and networking with other groups of local friends to prepare for the aftermath of something bad. Making lists of who will be where and how to make contact after the storm to organize for working. Of course it will all be on a continuing fine tuning basis as the situation changes.
I've been thinking, after seeing how this goes, of bringing up the suggestion of making it something that is thought about on a regular basis for the future not just when a storm is a possibility.

We have always planned to work as a group and in conjunction with other groups we are aquainted with . We will not tolerate , as this country does now , anarchy . We will provide various types of support as necessary or available . We will enjoy ourselves . We will pick over the dead .

Howdy folks, I'm new here. To awnser your question. Screw my neighbors. What have they ever done for me? Really, I don't even know their names. So I'm gona risk my life for theirs? I don't think so. The most important thing in my life is my wife and son. So if I have to be a "bad guy" to make sure they are ok. Then that's what I will be, The name of the game is survival. There is no room for manners, comfort, or "because it's right." Iv,e heard that so many times it makes me sick. "some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best of intentions." That I truly believe. So sacrifice my family for a bunch of people who won't stop and help me with my flat tire. Not a chance.
I'm not trying to be a jerk, This is how I truly believe. There is no room for chivalry in survival.

ive lived in the area im in for 42 years, it used to be a farm area and back then i personally knew every person within 15 miles, in the mid 80's the citiots started movin in and takin over, i still know the core families and they know me, i know which of them i could call on for help and which id answer if they call, probly close to 700 people that would work together to save this area
none of them are what id call preppers but they live a lot of the old farm ways, theres always a stockpile of food clothes and ammo somewhere they can tap when needed. thats a big part of why my family will all just stay here