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Altruism Quiz

Are you a giver or a Grinch?

Tis the season for generosity. But how important is it to you to help others? To find out—and get tips for becoming more altruistic—take this quiz, which is based on a scale developed by psychologist Gary S. Nickell of Moorhead State University.

Please answer the below questions as honestly as possible; there are no right or wrong answers. For the first 20 questions, please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each statement.

The last five questions are about you, and they'll be used by our research team to better understand how altruism relates to factors like age and gender.

When you're done, you'll get your score, learn more about the benefits of altruism, and find resources for boosting your habits of helping.

Any responses submitted here will never be shared with any organization outside the Greater Good Science Center under any circumstances, ever. All responses are anonymized and only used in aggregate for evaluation purposes.

 
1. If possible, I would return lost money to the rightful owner.
If possible, I would return lost money to the rightful owner.
2. I would avoid aiding someone in a medical emergency if I could.
I would avoid aiding someone in a medical emergency if I could.
3. Helping friends and family is one of the great joys in life.
Helping friends and family is one of the great joys in life.
4. I try to offer my help with any activities my community or school groups are carrying out.
I try to offer my help with any activities my community or school groups are carrying out.
5. Volunteering to help someone is very rewarding.
Volunteering to help someone is very rewarding.
6. I rarely contribute money to a worthy cause.
I rarely contribute money to a worthy cause.
7. Doing volunteer work makes me feel happy.
Doing volunteer work makes me feel happy.
8. Unless they are part of my family, helping the elderly isn’t my responsibility.
Unless they are part of my family, helping the elderly isn’t my responsibility.
9. When given the opportunity, I enjoy aiding others who are in need.
When given the opportunity, I enjoy aiding others who are in need.
10. Children should be taught about the importance of helping others.
Children should be taught about the importance of helping others.
11. I dislike giving directions to strangers who are lost.
I dislike giving directions to strangers who are lost.
12. I donate time or money to charities every month.
I donate time or money to charities every month.
13. I plan to donate my organs when I die with the hope that they will help someone else live.
I plan to donate my organs when I die with the hope that they will help someone else live.
14. Helping others is usually a waste of time.
Helping others is usually a waste of time.
15. I feel at peace with myself when I have helped others.
I feel at peace with myself when I have helped others.
16. If the person in front of me in the check-out line at a store was a few cents short, I would pay the difference.
If the person in front of me in the check-out line at a store was a few cents short, I would pay the difference.
17. I feel proud when I know that my generosity has benefited a needy person.
I feel proud when I know that my generosity has benefited a needy person.
18. Helping people does more harm than good because they come to rely on others and not themselves.
Helping people does more harm than good because they come to rely on others and not themselves.
19. It feels wonderful to assist others in need.
It feels wonderful to assist others in need.
20. Giving aid to the poor is the right thing to do.
Giving aid to the poor is the right thing to do.
21. In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
In terms of your gender identity, do you see yourself as:
22. What is your age?
What is your age?
23. How spiritual are you?
How spiritual are you?
24. Please provide your best estimate of your annual income (before taxes).
Please provide your best estimate of your annual income (before taxes).
25. How would you describe your political views?
How would you describe your political views?