Understanding True Altruism

Social psychology examines how societal influences shape individual behaviors, particularly concerning aggression and altruism. One prominent theory that attempts to explain the motivation behind altruistic behavior is the Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that feelings of empathy towards others can drive individuals to engage in altruistic actions, even at a personal cost. However, there are also perspectives that argue altruism may arise from a sense of social responsibility or personal gain, raising questions about the motivations behind helping behavior.

Based on the Empathy-Altruism Hypothesis, which of the following scenarios best exemplifies a true altruistic behavior, where the individual acts solely out of empathy for the other person?