Altruism–Self-Interest Archetypes: A Paradigmatic Narrative of Counseling Professionals

Abstract

The quality of the therapeutic relationship and the personal characteristics of professional counselors are key determinants of positive counseling outcomes and decision making, and they are believed to be influenced by conscious and unconscious processes. Beliefs about the unconscious nature of altruism and self-interest among 25 mental health professionals were examined through a paradigmatic narrative analysis. Data from 19 semi-structured individual interviews, one focus group, 19 artifacts and participant member checks were subjected to a secondary qualitative analysis. The results of the analysis generated three salient archetypes representative of the altruism-self-interest dynamic: exocentric altruist, endocentric altruist, and psychological egoist.

Effects of Imbalance of Self‐ and Other‐Care on Counselors' Burnout

“…Our results are meaningful because there have been no other quantitative studies identifying counselors' profiles based on their levels of self‐care and other‐care. Despite this lack of quantitative research, it has been assumed on the basis of theoretical and empirical considerations (Flynn & Black, 2013; Pettersen, 2004) that counselors fall into three groups: the egoist, the altruist, and the well balanced. Our identification of the typical care and high care groups, which show a balance between self‐ and other‐care, and the low self‐care/high other‐care group, which excessively focuses on helping others, aligns with such studies.…”

“…Based on the emergent theory of altruism and self‐interest, three archetypes of counselors have been identified: exocentric altruist, endocentric altruist, and psychological egoist (Flynn & Black, 2013). An exocentric altruist is an individual who desires to help others for their own internal gratification without considering personal gain; an endocentric altruist focuses on helping others while concurrently seeking self‐benefit; and a psychological egoist is an individual who concentrates on fulfilling their own personal needs, wants, or desires.…”

“…Therefore, our study was aimed at uncovering types of counselors based on the balance between self‐care and other‐care and on previous research (Flynn & Black, 2013). We hypothesized that we would find three profile groups: egoist, altruist, and well‐balanced.…”

Integrated Technology And Mutual Participation For Changing Communities Socially, Economically And Religiously

“…So it has positive conotation; personal wellness, self-advocacy, positive beliefs, self-care and the development of self-regulatory systems. [18].…”

The Philosophy of Helping (Consultation Model and Altruistic Behavior as An Important Part of The Counselor for Early Childhood)

“…Flynn and Black [12] describe three emerging archetypes that illustrate the nature of altruistic theory-self-interest, endocentric altruistic, exocentric altruistic, and selfish psychologist. Exocentric altruistic describes an individual who receives internal satisfaction from giving, but inadvertently takes part of social action for the purpose of receiving internal satisfaction.…”