This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer

Author Question: What are some of the potential risks involved when undertaking altruistic behavior? Provide evidence ... (Read 44 times)

Zulu123

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 525
What are some of the potential risks involved when undertaking altruistic behavior? Provide evidence from research studies. Are these risks sufficient to discourage one from any form of altruism?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What are the benefits of altruism?
 
  What will be an ideal response?



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

ndhahbi

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 390
Answer to Question 1

A caveat regarding altruism is that if the effort and time spent helping is too overtaxing it will cancel out the beneficial effects for the giver (Post, 2005). Further, service motivated by duty or obligation may not result in improved well-being for the helper (Walsh, 2011). Some forms of long-term caregiving (e.g., long-term care for a loved one with dementia) can even result in health impairment and diminished well-being (see Chapter 4). This is not to discourage any form of altruism since altruism in the form of long-term caregiving, for example, is the ultimate form of virtuous giving, but rather to mention some of the potential risks and benefits involved when undertaking any form of altruistic behavior.

Answer to Question 2

The practice of helping others benefits both the person giving and the person receiving the help. As Walsh (2011, p. 9) notes, altruism is said to reduce unhealthy mental qualities such as greed, jealousy, and egocentricity while enhancing healthy qualities such as love, joy, and generosity.. Just as Ebenezer Scrooge experienced greater buoyancy and health after becoming more generous, research indicates that practicing kindness, compassion, and generosity often leads to greater health, well-being, and longevity (Post, 2005). In fact, engaging in acts of altruism can be so rewarding that it can lead to a helper's high (Luks, 1988). Even small acts of kindness may be uplifting.




Zulu123

  • Member
  • Posts: 525
Reply 2 on: Jun 22, 2018
YES! Correct, THANKS for helping me on my review


softEldritch

  • Member
  • Posts: 334
Reply 3 on: Yesterday
Gracias!

 

Did you know?

Fewer than 10% of babies are born on their exact due dates, 50% are born within 1 week of the due date, and 90% are born within 2 weeks of the date.

Did you know?

Oxytocin is recommended only for pregnancies that have a medical reason for inducing labor (such as eclampsia) and is not recommended for elective procedures or for making the birthing process more convenient.

Did you know?

Eating carrots will improve your eyesight. Carrots are high in vitamin A (retinol), which is essential for good vision. It can also be found in milk, cheese, egg yolks, and liver.

Did you know?

Children of people with alcoholism are more inclined to drink alcohol or use hard drugs. In fact, they are 400 times more likely to use hard drugs than those who do not have a family history of alcohol addiction.

Did you know?

There can actually be a 25-hour time difference between certain locations in the world. The International Date Line passes between the islands of Samoa and American Samoa. It is not a straight line, but "zig-zags" around various island chains. Therefore, Samoa and nearby islands have one date, while American Samoa and nearby islands are one day behind. Daylight saving time is used in some islands, but not in others—further shifting the hours out of sync with natural time.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library