Our Extraordinary, Ordinary Capacity for Human Altruism

This work makes a contribution to research on
prosocial behavior because the participants
insights reflect a particular conception of everyday
altruism, a definition that highlights altruism s
nature as a needs-based motivation. Altruism, then,
is defined as behavior primarily motivated by the
actor s need to enhance the welfare of another that
involves personal sacrifice for the altruistic actor
and that may be motivated secondarily by self-
benefit. This understanding of altruism debunks the
notion that altruism consists of action wholly
devoid of self-interest and instead situates it
within a larger motivational system of basic human
needs. In addition, the majority of research
participants connect traumatic past experiences to
their present-day altruism. These experiences
socialized the participants both to experience
personal need and care for needy others. The
findings build on our current understanding of
altruistic socialization and motivation.

Autorentext

Estella Gutierrez-Zamano received her Ph.D. in Education from U.C.L.A. in 2004. Her research focused on the dynamics of human altruism and prosocial behavior. Prior to her graduate studies, Estella worked as an instructor, nonprofit fund developer, and college administrator, and she hopes in the future to teach writing at a two-year college.

Klappentext

This work makes a contribution to research on prosocial behavior because the participants' insights reflect a particular conception of everyday altruism, a definition that highlights altruism's nature as a needs-based motivation. Altruism, then, is defined as behavior primarily motivated by the actor's need to enhance the welfare of another that involves personal sacrifice for the altruistic actor and that may be motivated secondarily by self-benefit. This understanding of altruism debunks the notion that altruism consists of action wholly devoid of self-interest and instead situates it within a larger motivational system of basic human needs. In addition, the majority of research participants connect traumatic past experiences to their present-day altruism. These experiences socialized the participants both to experience personal need and care for needy others. The findings build on our current understanding of altruistic socialization and motivation.