Altruism and Volunteerism: The perceptions of altruism in four disciplines and their impact on the study of volunteerism

Abstract

Although volunteering is the most organized and formal manner of altruism, the two subjects are rarely connected in literature. In this article reviewed is the egocentric approach that is found in four social disciplines: psychology, sociology, economics and socio‐biology (evolutionism), and the way that studies on altruism are based on Utilitarian philosophy and on the homo economicus perception of man. All of the above have influenced the study of volunteerism: the research questions, the study areas, and the conclusions on the essence of volunteering. We then review a different approach based on Deontological philosophy: the alter‐centric approach, already influencing the study of altruism. New directions of approaching and studying volunteerism are suggested.

Home to Work Spillover and Psychological Distress in Middle-Aged Women

“…Empathy is defined as the ability to feel what others feel (Ginot, 2009;Krebs, 1975) and may create a sincere desire to relieve the suffering of another person (Haski Leventhal, 2009). It is also possible that empathy promotes self interested helping (known as egoism), if the individual identifies with "the other," feels secondary distress, and helps as a way to alleviate his or her own distress (Ginot, 2009;Haski Leventhal, 2009). In other words, an action that appears to be altruistic might not be if the underlying motive is self serving in any way.…”

“…Based on previous research on altruism, we developed 19 items designed to tap beliefs and perceptions about altruism. For example, Haski Leventhal (2009) found that the ability to help others without expecting anything in return related to altruism. Thus, we developed an item asking participants for their level of agree ment with the statement, "An individual can help someone without expecting anything in return."…”

Valores humanos y voluntariado: Un estudio en personas mayores

“…Por un lado, desde la perspectiva de la Psicología del Desarrollo se defiende que la tasa de voluntariado es superior entre los mayores jubilados al disponer de más tiempo libre y aflorar en ellos sentimientos más altruistas (Piliavin & Charng, 1990;Putnam, 2000). Este hecho está basado principalmente en la percepción de que las personas nacen egoístas y van evolucionando hacia perfiles más altruistas a través de la socialización y la educación (Haski-Leventhal, 2009). Por otro lado, desde una aproximación egocéntrica, algunos autores como Smith (2000) o Khalil (2004) consideran que el altruismo en estado puro no existe.…”

Volunteering within Initial Teacher Education: Factors that Boost and Block Participation

“…Voluntary action can support those in need of services, providing for marginalized social groups (Haski-Leventhal, Ronel, York, & Ben-David, 2008). It can be individually satisfying, giving the volunteer a sense of personal meaning and enhanced health and wellbeing (Haski-Leventhal, 2009). Further, it has been understood as a reaction to neoliberal urban politics (Rosol, 2012).…”