Psychological Effects of Altruism in Human Behavior Essay

This essay delves into the multifaceted psychological effects of altruism, defining it as selfless behavior driven by empathy and concern for others, even at personal risk. It utilizes the biopsychosocial model to analyze altruism's roots in genetics, social connections, and economic status, illustrating how it manifests in various contexts, including family, community, and refugee camps. The essay explores both positive and negative impacts, such as community building versus covering up criminal activity. It highlights the potential for stress and burnout among altruistic individuals, especially in professions like nursing and social work, and discusses techniques like Progressive Muscle Relaxation and Relaxation Response for stress management. Furthermore, the essay examines the link between emotional intelligence and altruism, emphasizing the importance of understanding and regulating emotions for career success. The conclusion underscores the potential for both stress and community cohesion arising from altruistic behaviors, emphasizing the importance of considering the psychological consequences of selfless actions.

EFFECTS OF ALTRUISM
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALTRUISM
Author Name(s)
Class (Course)
Tutor (Professor)
University (School)
The City and State
Date

Effects of Altruism 1
Psychological Effects of Altruism.
Altruism is a principle that governs the behaviour and actions of an individual. It is when
an individual behaves with the interest and concern of someone else's wellbeing even if it is a
risk to themselves or if it will cost them. It is an act of selflessness that induces empathy and a
desire to help someone who is in a desperate circumstance. Altruistic people help others with no
hope for a reward or recognition but rather to help the individual in a dire situation.
The biopsychosocial model is a model that helps in analyzing the concept of Altruism.
Altruistic behaviour often arises among relatives. A selfless person will likely help someone
whom they have a relation with rather than a stranger, and hence genetics is a factor. A factor that
makes altruistic people turn to help others is when they find them in a situation they are unable to
find a solution to their problems. Generous people help others to save them from a situation that
is stressful to them (Hatala, 2012). Generous people may develop the behaviour of helping others
if their economic status is better compared to other people.
Sociological studies show that Altruism is more evident in a more connected society.
Altruistic people in the society strongly identify themselves with a group or a community, and
they value the needs of the group as far more important than their own needs. They would do
anything for the group (Adam.B et al. 2009). Altruism often has a link to suicide levels of
generous people who would do anything for the community or group they belong (Oakley B. et
al. 2012).
Psychological effects.
Researchers have often said that Altruism can be pathological, and it is a psychological
effect that sees altruistic people burn themselves out in the process of helping others (Oakley B.
et al. 2012). They can sometimes be obsessed about a particular thing or detail that will lead

Effects of Altruism 2
them to do something drastic. Researchers used an example of nurses who are empathetic to their
patients and get burnt out because they care too much for their patients (Carter. 2013). Such
nurses deny themselves peace of mind and sleep in taking care of their patients.
The psychological effects of Altruism are what cause altruistic people to behave in
specific ways against society or for the benefit of the community. A positive impact of Altruism
is that the kind person puts the needs of society before their own, and this helps in bringing the
community together. A negative effect of Altruism is that a generous person will cover up
criminal activities of an individual they are emotionally invested in. Therefore, the community
continues to suffer from illegal activities.
Altruistic people engage in social work to address social problems and use their
professional skills with no expectation of any significant return. Charitable social workers in the
community often face their downfall from being too generous and their acts of kindness. When
altruistic social workers become invested in a client they are working with, they tend to feel
more empathy towards them and at times, go against the professional conduct of how to relate
with their client. Such behaviour may result in the kind altruistic social worker losing their
license as a social worker, and this may bring on additional stress to the worker.
Another psychological effect of altruism is that selfless people will often live a stress-free
life, and this is because kind people are compelled towards helping others. When they do so, it
brings a sense of happiness and pleasure that helps maintain peace of mind that ensures the
psychological wellbeing of the person (McCullough et al. 2009). Assisting others enables
altruistic persons to form a reputation in the community, and this helps them accumulate favours
and social support from others for their sacrifices. This, in turn, helps the community grow as a

Effects of Altruism 3
whole. Altruistic people get positive feelings from helping others, and this helps in making them
feel better and reducing their stress levels.
People often have different perceptions when it comes to attractiveness. An acquaintance
will find you more attractive than a stranger due to the familiarity between the two of you.
Another factor that makes some people more attractive than others is the similarity between them
(Chung et al. 2010). People are often attracted to people who have similar facial characteristics
as them. Depending on the culture one is raised in, their perception of attractiveness will be
based on beliefs of that culture.
Altruistic people are often prone to stress, and one of the best techniques for dealing with
stress is the Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). This is a technique that reduces stress by
alternately tensing and relaxing the muscles (Lee E.J et al. 2012). The exercise of tensing and
relaxing muscles create a pleasant mental space that helps reduce anxiety as a response to stress.
Another effective way of managing stress is by using the Relaxation Response technique. This is
a technique that aims at counterbalancing the stress responses of the brain (Caswell, 2011). It
mainly requires activating other areas of your mind to counteract the stress responses and reduce
stress. Often this is achieved with a concentration of one's thoughts.
Other cases of Altruism are in refugee camps whereby the refugees help each other
survive and adopt the culture of their newfound home. Altruistic people in refugee camps help
others by sharing their experiences and coping strategies, and this helps in the healing of trauma
and reduces the stress levels on the refugees that are brought about by moving from their home
country to the new environment. Altruism in refugee camps is sometimes contingent on being
called upon to help and receiving help. If refugees detained in camps stay for long, they develop
altruistic behaviour to help each other cope.

Effects of Altruism 4
Emotional intelligence is being able to understand your emotions and control them.
Understanding your feelings and those of other people is a valuable asset when growing your
career (Ahmetoglu et al. 2011). To attain success in one's career, it will require them to have
emotional intelligence. Self-regulation is a component of emotional intelligence, and it entails
one to think before making a judgement that may lead to career suicide. Motivation is another
component of emotional intelligence, and this shows passion towards succeeding in your career.
When one understands the emotional state of others surrounding them and how to regulate their
emotions, they are in a better place of achieving success in their careers.
In conclusion, charitable people in society may suffer from stress if they are not included
in the activities of the community, and this may lead to them committing suicide. Altruistic
people are more concerned about the well being of others more than their own. The
psychological effects of Altruism can either positively or negatively affect the selfless person as
well as the community. They may help bring the community together by helping others, and they
may also neglect to report criminal activities perpetrated by their friends.

Effects of Altruism 5
References.
Adam, B., Bell, W., Burawoy, M., Cornell, S., DeCesare, M., Elias, S., McPhail, L., Furedi, F.,
Gans, H.J., Glenn, N.D. and Hagan, J., 2009. Handbook of public sociology. Rowman &
Littlefield Publishers.
Ahmetoglu, G., Leutner, F. and Chamorro-Premuzic, T., 2011. EQ-nomics: Understanding the
relationship between individual differences in trait emotional intelligence and
entrepreneurship. Personality and Individual Differences, 51(8), pp.1028-1033.
Carter, Sherrie B. 2013 "Helpers High: The benefits and risks of Altruism." High-octane Women:
How Superachievers Can Avoid Burnout.
Caswell, S., 2011. The relaxation response: A strategy to address stress. International journal of
athletic therapy & training, p.21.
Chung, V.Q., Gordon, J.S., Veledar, E. and Chen, S.C., 2010. Hot or not—evaluating the effect of
artificial tanning on the public's perception of attractiveness. Dermatologic Surgery, 36(11),
pp.1651-1655.
Hatala, A.R., 2012. The status of the “biopsychosocial” model in health psychology: Towards an
integrated approach and a critique of cultural conceptions. Open Journal of Medical Psychology,
1(04), p.51.
Lee, E.J., Bhattacharya, J., Sohn, C. and Verres, R., 2012. Monochord sounds and progressive
muscle relaxation reduce anxiety and improve relaxation during chemotherapy: a pilot EEG
study — complementary therapies in medicine, 20(6), pp.409-416.
McCullough, M.E., Kimeldorf, M.B., and Cohen, A.D., 2009. An adaptation for Altruism: The
social causes, social effects, and social evolution of gratitude. Current directions in psychological
science, 17(4), pp.281-285.
Oakley, B., Knafo, A., Madhavan, G. and Wilson, D.S. eds., 2011. Pathological Altruism. Oxford
University Press.