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Altruism – Collection

While cooperation and selflessness are woven into the fabric of our biology, altruistic behaviors have long puzzled behavioral scientists, philanthropists, economists, and more. We’re certain that humans act altruistically, and that altruism can take diverse forms from donating to volunteering, but questions still surround this enigmatic feature of human behavior. Why do humans act altruistically, especially if it might put our own lives at risk? Is it really altruism if the behavior is motivated by personal gain? How do we evaluate altruistic behaviors?

With the 24/7 news cycle, social media, and information about the entire world’s crises right at our fingertips, the opportunities for altruism are endless, for better or worse. Helping people on the other side of the world is possible with a single click, but the options of who to help and how can be overwhelming. 

Today's discussions about altruism often surround charitable causes and donations. Behavioral science seeks to unpack why we donate to certain causes and not others, revealing our individual and collective biases in deciding who deserves our help the most. Conversely, the growing “Effective Altruism” movement advocates for altruism driven by pure logic and reason, but are we removing too much of the human aspect of this equation? Understanding the inner workings and the real-world effects of altruistic behaviors is a complex yet vital undertaking; for some, it’s a matter of life or death. 

Below, explore a curated collection of articles diving deeper into the intricacies of altruism, including its motivations, relationships with personal gain, and potential for optimization. 

Behavioral Motivators of Altruism

Altruism

Altruism has long puzzled thinkers trying to pin down its causes. From evolutionary biology to economics, academic perspectives continue to put forth diverse theories of altruism rooted in the survival of our genes, the reward of satisfaction, the expectation of reciprocity, and more.

The Psychology Behind Charity

With unprecedented access to information about people in need, donating to charity can be more overwhelming than ever. Despite these growing complexities, the motivation to give is ingrained in our history and biology, helping us connect with others and feel empowered to make positive change.

How To Motivate Volunteers With Behavioral Science

Whether out of altruism or to develop their own skills, people who volunteer are generally happier and healthier for it. But not all volunteering is created equal in its effectiveness. Understanding the behavioral drivers of volunteering facilitates charitable actions that are sustainable, meaningful, and ethical.

Why Overheads Go Over Our Heads

Generally, we’re less likely to donate money to charities if they spend more on administrative costs, even if they have a greater impact. Charities and fundraisers can nudge people toward donating by reframing fundraising strategies and making contributions more visible.

Understanding Altruism and Self-Interest

Reciprocal Altruism

Since its beginnings in 1859, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has stumbled in trying to explain selfless acts. Offering a potential solution, some scientists say our altruistic actions are not entirely selfless in the end. We may still be motivated by our own survival, just through our genes, instead of as individuals.

Selfish Altruism: A Win-Win? 

It’s likely not a surprise that many altruistic acts carry ulterior motives, whether it’s a student building their resume by volunteering or a corporation boosting their brand image by donating to charity. Even though it’s generally looked down upon, is self-interest in altruism really a bad thing? Research suggests: maybe not.

Game That Keeps On Giving: Charitable Giving Perspective 

People give for different reasons, and that can change the ways charities and non-profits frame their outreach. This piece explores the social dynamics of giving, discussing how charities can leverage game theory to predict donor behavior and tailor their messaging based on motivation.

Are We Innately Selfish? What the Science Has to Say

Are humans born good or evil? Philosophers and religious scholars have debated the question for millennia, but now researchers are jumping into the fray. By examining our most basic, automatic instincts, behavioral scientists point to innate cooperation as evidence that human nature is collaborative, not selfish.

Maximizing Altruistic Impact

Charity, Parochialism, and the Inefficiencies of Altruism 

Before we can decide how to donate most effectively, we have to figure out what “effective” actually means and why we make the charitable decisions we do. Determining which charitable causes are most worth donating to involves how we identify with the problem, the organization, and the personal benefits. 

Cognitive Biases Stop Us From Donating Effectively

Knowing who we’re donating to and their proximity to us can significantly influence our altruistic behavior, even if we aren’t consciously aware of those influences. Behavioral science can turn altruism into powerful, material impacts by reframing charitable causes to align with our hard-wired biases. 

Mind Your Heart: Irrationally Giving To Charity 

Donating to charity isn’t just a practical decision; it’s an emotional one. Our feelings motivate altruistic behavior, but can also prevent resources from reaching the people who need it most. Rather than eradicating emotion, charitable causes can harness our desire to help those we can identify and empathize with to maximize their impact. 

Smart Giving for a Cognitively Saturated World: Nick Fitz and Ari Kagan 

As our world evolves, altruism needs to change with it. As information overload makes it increasingly difficult to prioritize who to help, innovating new ways to integrate giving into our lives can ensure that improving others’ lived realities remains at the heart of charitable acts. 

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