Altruism, gift giving and reciprocity in organ donation: A review of cultural perspectives and challenges of the concepts

Abstract

Living and deceased organ donation are couched in altruism and gift discourse and this article reviews explores cultural views towards these concepts. Altruism and egoism theories and gift and reciprocity theories are outlined from a social exchange theory perspective to highlight the key differences between altruism and the gift and the wider implications of reciprocation. The notion of altruism as a selfless act without expectation or want for repayment juxtaposed with the Maussian gift where there are the obligations to give, receive and reciprocate. Lay perspectives of altruism and the gift in organ donation are outlined and illustrate that there are differences in motivations to donate in different programmes of living donation and for families who decide to donate their relative's organs. These motivations reflect cultural views of altruism and the gift and perceptions of the body and death.

Generosity’s antecedents and outcomes - A proposed relationship between Generosity and Intention in Indonesia’s BPJS Kesehatan

“…Hur (2013) mentions that the motivations of prosocial behaviors are mainly empathic and moral judgement. Sharp & Randhawa (2014) further strengthen the evidence. They argue that the motivation of altruism is concern for the welfare of others and it is driven by emphatic.…”

“…The critical review from thirty journals on "generosity" reveals that being generous is motivated by pure altruistic reasons (empathy to help others) (Hur, 2013;Kandul, 2016;Sharp & Randhawa, 2014), intrinsic incentives (the feeling of pleasure, "Warm Glow", and being more connected to humankind) (Declerck et al, 2013;Greenberg, 2014;Hur, 2013;Kandul, 2016;Liu &Hao, 2017;Llamas &Uth, 2016;Lynn, 2015;Natter & Kaufmann, 2015;Sharp & Randhawa, 2014), and extrinsic incentives (hoping for reciprocity, increase reputation, and avoiding social sanction) (Greenberg, 2014;Hur, 2013;Natter & Kaufmann, 2015).…”

“…People are giving, sharing, and contributing because they are moved by inequality, solidarity of needy, helping others, concerned with the welfare of others, and are driven by empathy (Hur, 2013;Kandul, 2016;Sharp & Randhawa, 2014) From that evidence the authors can draw the other possible direct relationship of generosity to intention. P2: Generosity has a positive direct influence on intention.…”

“…The hoping to get intrinsic reward is reported by various authors (DeClerck, Boone and Emonds, 2013;Hur, 2013;Greenberg, 2014;Sharp and Randhawa, 2014;Lynn, 2015;Natter and Kaufmann, 2015;Kandul, 2016;Llamas and Uth, 2016;Liu and Hao, 2017). They argue that people doing good to others, such as prosocial acts, tipping, giving money to strangers, and voluntary payment, do so because they can gain the feeling of pleasure, "Warm Glow", and feeling more connected to humankind.…”

“…Giving to others, according to them, is for moral judgement and following social norm. Sharp & Randhawa (2014), Hur (2013), and Kandul (2016, however, show that pure concern to others is the main motivation of being generous (pure altruism). According to them, selfishness is not the norm of humankind.…”