What Is Altruistic Behaviour Essay Example
Prosocial behaviour covers the broad range of actions intended to benefit one or more people other than oneself, conduct such as; helping, comforting, sharing, and cooperation. Altruism can be described as a subset of these behaviours, for example self-sacrificial helping or helping in the absence of obvious, external rewards. It is also a motivational concept, motivation to increase another person's welfare; in contrast to egoism, the motivation of a person to increase their own welfare.
It is argued that altruistic acts may be based on egotistical motives. For example reciprocity, the concept of, You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours', may be an egotistic motivation behind many seemingly altruistic acts. True altruism must be due to empathy to another's situation, and therefore concern for their welfare. Batson (1982) argues that subjects who report that they primarily feel personal distress in response to an emergency are acting in an egotistical, possibly situation-specific, manner. Whereas subjects who predominantly feel empathetic concern for the victim are acting altruistically. According to this view empathy can be seen as a positive personality variable.
Others have argued that it is too impractical to define altruism on perceived motivational state, as it is often impossible to tell in each individual case whether behaviour in empathetically motivated or not. Bierhoff (1990) has specified two conditions that could be used to define prosocial behaviour: first of all the intention to benefit another person and secondly the subjects freedom of choice, when the situation arises they can chose to help a victim or just leave.
Piliavin and Piliavin (1972) have explained reactions to emergencies in terms personal and situational factors and the consequent rewards and costs of taking action to help. It is argued that subjects weigh up the pros and cons of acting or not acting altruistically prior to any action being taken, a sort of cost-benefit
It is argued that altruistic acts may be based on egotistical motives. For example reciprocity, the concept of, You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours', may be an egotistic motivation behind many seemingly altruistic acts. True altruism must be due to empathy to another's situation, and therefore concern for their welfare. Batson (1982) argues that subjects who report that they primarily feel personal distress in response to an emergency are acting in an egotistical, possibly situation-specific, manner. Whereas subjects who predominantly feel empathetic concern for the victim are acting altruistically. According to this view empathy can be seen as a positive personality variable.
Others have argued that it is too impractical to define altruism on perceived motivational state, as it is often impossible to tell in each individual case whether behaviour in empathetically motivated or not. Bierhoff (1990) has specified two conditions that could be used to define prosocial behaviour: first of all the intention to benefit another person and secondly the subjects freedom of choice, when the situation arises they can chose to help a victim or just leave.
Piliavin and Piliavin (1972) have explained reactions to emergencies in terms personal and situational factors and the consequent rewards and costs of taking action to help. It is argued that subjects weigh up the pros and cons of acting or not acting altruistically prior to any action being taken, a sort of cost-benefit