Altruism
Definition
Altruism is the selfless concern for the well-being of others. It's when an individual performs an action not for personal gain, but to benefit someone else.
Analogy
Think of altruism like being a volunteer firefighter. You're not getting paid or receiving any direct benefits, but you're risking your own safety to help save others because it's the right thing to do.
Related terms
Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.
Prosocial Behavior: Voluntary behavior intended to benefit another person or group of people.
Reciprocal Altruism: The concept that altruistic behaviors can increase an individual's chances of survival if those they help are likely to return the favor in the future.
"Altruism" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (8)
- What is altruism in the context of psychology?
- What type of altruism describes helping behaviors driven by empathy?
- What would evolutionary psychologists likely attribute acts of altruism towards non-relatives to?
- Which theory suggests that altruism is a result of a genetic drive to ensure the survival of one's genes?
- How has the understanding of altruism evolved from early psychological theories to contemporary research?
- How might the practice of altruism in psychology potentially compromise the principle of respect for autonomy?
- How does the concept of 'survival of the fittest' from evolutionary biology apply to altruism in social psychology?
- Why might acts of altruism be less common within large cities compared to smaller communities?
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