Altruism: A Field Experiment
Altruism: A Field Experiment
Kamille J. Bernabe
Master in Psychology
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Graduate School
Advanced Social Psychology
Abstract
Everyday life is filled with small acts of altruism. While we may be all too familiar with altruism, social psychologists are interested in understanding why it occurs. What inspires these acts of kindness? What motivates people to risk their own lives to save a complete stranger? Altruism as defined as the concern for the well-being of others. To test the concern of others, the experimenter conducted a study in a public place where to find out that if there are people who are willing to help without asking something in return and to find out that altruism really exist. As we go along the study, we will be able to find out that true meaning of altruism.
Altruism: A Field Experiment
Altruism is the selfless concern for the well-being of others. According to Nicholas Kristof (2004) some people say altruistic actions just feel like the right thing to do. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures and central to many religious traditions.
Modern definitions of altruism state that it can be a form of pro-social behaviour in which a person will voluntarily help another at some cost to themselves (Cardwell, Clark and Meldrum, 2002). Some other definitions suggest that altruism is the unselfish concern of an individual for the welfare of another (Carlson, Martin & Buzkist, 2004).
Social psychology related explanations of altruistic behavior suggest that people’s actions at an early age are primarily based on material rewards and punishments which suggests that it is more likely that the older an individual is, the more likely it would be for them to show altruistic behavior. Further studies into altruism and children found that older children’s actions are based on social approval, and then adolescent behavior is due to the fact that it
Kamille J. Bernabe
Master in Psychology
Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Graduate School
Advanced Social Psychology
Abstract
Everyday life is filled with small acts of altruism. While we may be all too familiar with altruism, social psychologists are interested in understanding why it occurs. What inspires these acts of kindness? What motivates people to risk their own lives to save a complete stranger? Altruism as defined as the concern for the well-being of others. To test the concern of others, the experimenter conducted a study in a public place where to find out that if there are people who are willing to help without asking something in return and to find out that altruism really exist. As we go along the study, we will be able to find out that true meaning of altruism.
Altruism: A Field Experiment
Altruism is the selfless concern for the well-being of others. According to Nicholas Kristof (2004) some people say altruistic actions just feel like the right thing to do. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures and central to many religious traditions.
Modern definitions of altruism state that it can be a form of pro-social behaviour in which a person will voluntarily help another at some cost to themselves (Cardwell, Clark and Meldrum, 2002). Some other definitions suggest that altruism is the unselfish concern of an individual for the welfare of another (Carlson, Martin & Buzkist, 2004).
Social psychology related explanations of altruistic behavior suggest that people’s actions at an early age are primarily based on material rewards and punishments which suggests that it is more likely that the older an individual is, the more likely it would be for them to show altruistic behavior. Further studies into altruism and children found that older children’s actions are based on social approval, and then adolescent behavior is due to the fact that it
References: Altruism - Social Relationships: Altruism. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.boundless.com/psychology/social-psychology/social-relationships-altruism/altruism--2/ Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., & Akert, R. M. (2005). Social psychology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Cardwell, M., Clark, L., and Meldrum, C. (2002) Psychology; For A2 Level (2nd ed.). London: Collins Publishing. Carlson, N.R., Martin, G.N. and Buskist, W. (2004). Psychology ( 2nded.). Essex: Pearson Publishing. CAS - 06 - 601P (altruism : afield experiment) [Video file]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIr9FiA-qrY Studies into Human Altruism. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://deanmcdonnell.hubpages.com/hub/Altruism-dmd