Many people regularly help others, whether through volunteer work or charitable donations. But are we truly selfless when we do selfless acts? Or do selfish motives also play a role? Discover here the benefits of altruism and why sometimes helping others comes with self-interest.
Altruism Activates the Reward System and Strengthens Health
Humans are social animals that operate in groups and benefit from cooperation with others. In a group, the chances of survival for the species are higher, making the instinct for self-preservation an important motivator. Accordingly, cooperative behaviors are not only found in human societies but also in the animal and plant kingdoms, and even among bacteria. When antibiotics are introduced to a bacterial culture, resistant bacteria help less resistant ones by producing a certain substance, increasing the survival of the entire population.
From an evolutionary standpoint, cooperation provided a decisive survival advantage. Living and working in a group increases the chances of survival compared to being alone. While this may appear altruistic at first glance, it is driven by a selfish motive: survival and the passing on of one’s genes. Nature has cleverly devised a way to promote this cooperative behavior. When people cooperate and help others, happiness hormones like dopamine are released. This leads to feelings of satisfaction and recognition, further reinforcing cooperative behavior.
Moreover, the tendency to cooperate and help has positive effects on health. People who regularly do good for others fall ill less often and have a higher life expectancy. This could be seen as a biological reward for prosocial behavior that benefits not only the individual but the entire community. In this sense, altruism is not only a moral action but also biologically and evolutionarily sensible.
Reciprocity: The Principle of Mutuality
There are many reasons for selfless actions: a sense of justice, morality, religion, compassion, or goodwill toward others. Underlying all these reasons is reciprocity. Reciprocity is the principle of mutuality and a fundamental element of human behavior. It influences our social interactions and is closely linked to concepts like altruism and prosocial behavior. According to the principle of reciprocity, help is a mutual principle. If I help you, you help someone else, and this continues so that I receive help when I need it. Selflessness is also influenced by hereditary factors. A study showed that depending on which variant of a gene individuals possess, they donate more or less money to a charity in an experiment. People with a higher propensity to donate have a gene that is four times more active than that of those who were less altruistic. Interestingly, both genes are involved in dopamine production. Studies have also shown gender-specific differences in prosocial behavior. Women experience a greater reward in the brain when they act altruistically, while men are more rewarded when they act selfishly.
Factors Promoting and Inhibiting Selflessness
Altruistic behavior is also strongly influenced by societal morals. People are more likely to act selflessly if they feel observed and can demonstrate their morally correct behavior to others. Individuals generally seek social recognition through this behavior. Conversely, acting unethically may lead to criticism and rejection.
Altruism, however, is inhibited when people are under time pressure or do not feel observed. This suggests that external factors like social pressure and time play an important role in prosocial behavior.
Helper Syndrome: Is Altruism Overrated?
People who frequently and willingly help others typically derive a deep sense of well-being from their altruistic actions. This altruism can be an important source of personal fulfillment and satisfaction. However, the coin has another side: when the need to help others becomes overwhelming and turns into an obligation, negative psychological effects such as exhaustion, depression, anxiety, or guilt can occur. In such cases, the initially positive action becomes a burden. This was particularly evident during the pandemic when the mental health of especially selfless individuals was more adversely affected. The constant concern for the well-being of others, often at the expense of their own well-being, leads to increased psychological stress. Therefore, it is crucial to find a balance between the desire to help others and self-care.
Here you can find all the information about the above mentioned study
