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we often change our opinions and beliefs to fit in with the opinions of those whom we care
about. Yet we also are able to be aggressive if we feel the situation warrants it.
Helping Others: Altruism Helps Create Harmonious Relationships
Altruism refers to any behavior that is designed to increase another person’s welfare, and
particularly those actions that do not seem to provide a direct reward to the person who
performs them (Dovidio, Piliavin, Schroeder, & Penner, 2006). [1] Altruism occurs when we stop
to help a stranger who has been stranded on the highway, when we volunteer at a homeless
shelter, or when we donate to a charity. According to a survey given by an established coalition
that studies and encourages volunteering (http://www.independentsector.org), in 2001 over 83
million American adults reported that they helped others by volunteering, and did so an average
of 3.6 hours per week. The survey estimated that the value of the volunteer time that was given
was over 239 billion dollars.
Why Are We Altruistic?
Because altruism is costly, you might wonder why we engage in it at all. There are a variety of
explanations for the occurrence of altruism, and Table 14.3 "Some of the Variables Known to
Increase Helping" summarizes some of the variables that are known to increase helping.
Table 14.3 Some of the Variables Known to Increase Helping
Positive moods We help more when we are in a good mood (Guéguen & De Gail, 2003).
Similarity
We help people who we see as similar to us, for instance, those who mimic our behaviors (van Baaren,
Holland, Kawakami, & van Knippenberg, 2004).
Guilt If we are experiencing guilt, we may help relieve those negative feelings.
Empathy
We help more when we feel empathy for the other person (Batson, O’Quin, Fultz, Varnderplas, & Isen,
1983).Benefits
We are more likely to help if we can feel good about ourselves by doing so (Snyder, Omoto, & Lindsay,
2004).
Personal
responsibility We are more likely to help if it is clear that others are not helping.