Altruism
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[edit] Definitions and Overview
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Altruism, popularly understood, generally refers to actions done for the sake of helping someone (or someones) else. In the academic realm, however, there is considerable dissensus about its definition.
For some scholars, like Batson (1991), altruism is “a motivational state with the ultimate goal of increasing another’s welfare” (p. 6). Or, per Schroeder, Penned, Dovidio, & Piliavin, 1995, it is the "performing [of] acts voluntarily to help someone else when there is no expectation of a reward in any form, except perhaps a feeling of having done a good deed" (paraphrased in Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2003, p. 371). These definitions are quite similar to the lay understanding of altruism in that it highlights intention and may or may not be accompanied by sacrifice or "loss" by the individual performing the altruistic act.
For other scholars, however, true altruism--sometimes called "pure altruism"--necessarily involves an element of sacrifice by the actor performing the altruistic act.
Both of these schools of thought will be represented in the selected studies cited below.
[edit] Related GoodWiki Pages
[edit] Often-Cited or New Studies & Accompanying Summaries/Abstracts
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Post, Stephen G. (2005). “Altruism, Happiness, and Health: It’s Good to Be Good,” International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 12, no. 2, 66-77.
Altruistic (other-regarding) emotions and behaviors are associated with greater well-being, health, and longevity. This article presents a summary and assessment of existing research data on altruism and its relation to mental and physical health. It suggests several complimentary interpretive frameworks, including evolutionary biology, physiological models, and positive psychology. Potential public health implications of this research are discussed, as well as directions for future studies. The article concludes, with some caveats, that a strong correlation exists between the well-being, happiness, health, and longevity of people who are emotionally and behaviorally compassionate, so long as they are not overwhelmed by helping tasks.
[edit] Relevant Datasets
- The General Social Survey, which recently started tracking about altruistic and empathetic attitudes and behaviors. See more about altruism in the GSS here.
- Additional datasets requested
[edit] Related Sites and Writings
- The Compassion & Empathy entry of the GoodWiki
- “Altruism and Compassion in the Midst of War” by Marsh (GG article; 2004)
- "Who Cares? The National Altruism Study" (GG research brief)
- "Altruism vs. Terrorism" (GG research brief)
Post, Stephen and Jill Neimark. (2007). Why Good Things Happen to Good People: The Exciting New Research that Proves the Link Between Doing Good and Living a Longer, Healthier, Happier Life. New York: Broadway Books/Random House.
Wink, P. (2007). In the Course of a Lifetime: Tracing Religious Belief, Practice, and Change. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
[edit] References
- Batson, C.D. 1991. The Altruism Question: Toward a Social Psychological Answer. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Schroeder, D. A., Penner, L., Dovidio, J. F., & Piliavin, J. A. 1995. The psychology of helping and altruism: Problems and puzzles. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Taylor, Shelley E., Peplau, Letitia A., & Sears, David O. 2003. Social Psychology. (11th ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
