Facts about Altruism

1. 05

   Bystander effect research shows altruism in individuals decreases as the number of observers present increases, a phenomenon studied extensively by Latané and Darley.

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2. 04

   Empathy-altruism hypothesis, proposed by social psychologist C. Daniel Batson in the 1980s, argues that empathic concern produces genuinely selfless motivation to help others.

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3. 03

   Psychological research distinguishes altruism from prosocial behavior by requiring that the helper receives no personal benefit, making true altruism debated among researchers.

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4. 02

   Evolutionary biology explains altruism through kin selection, the idea that organisms help relatives to promote shared genes, formalized by W.D. Hamilton.

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5. 01

   The term altruism was coined by French philosopher Auguste Comte in the 19th century to describe selfless concern for the well-being of others.

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