Altruism Research Articles

How altruistic alternatives reverse the compromise effect

AbstractBrand managers increasingly add altruistic product attributes, such as fair trade or charitable donations, to their products to account for consumers’ increasing expectations of altruistic brand behavior. Despite the extensive amount of altruistic product attributes in today’s markets, it is unclear how these attributes affect consumer decision-making in different contexts. This paper particularly examines the influence of altruistic product attributes on the compromise effect. Through five experimental studies, we provide pioneering evidence that consumers face general difficulty in accepting trade-offs involving altruistic attributes and that altruistic attributes change the compromise effect substantially. While the well-established compromise effect, predicting a preference for middle options (compromises) over extreme options, holds for trade-offs between utilitarian attributes, it diminishes for altruistic trade-offs. Moreover, the trade-offs between utilitarian and altruistic attributes reverse the compromise effect, i.e., leading to a preference for extreme options. We also demonstrate that impression management moderates this effect.

The Relation between Mentalized Affectivity and Negative Emotions in Chinese College Students: The Moderating Effect of Internet Altruistic Behavior

This article aims to investigate the impact of mentalized affectivity on negative emotions among Chinese college students based on a questionnaire survey of 899 university students. The study adopts a mentalized affectivity scale, an internet altruistic behavior scale, and a self-analysis questionnaire. The study’s findings reveal a negative correlation between mentalized affectivity and depression, anxiety, and stress, but a positive correlation with variables linked to internet altruistic behavior in college students. Additionally, the study reveals a significant moderating effect of internet altruistic behavior on the relationship between mentalized affectivity and depression and anxiety. It is concluded that an increased level of affectivity can help modulate negative emotions and that internet altruistic behavior can play a moderator role in the modulation process.

Animal Welfare or Own Welfare: What Motivates Consumers’ Choice of Cage‐Free Products?

ABSTRACTThis study addresses the puzzle of animal welfare regulations consistently passing by majority votes, despite potential welfare losses evident in market data. To understand this phenomenon, we propose a conceptual framework that considers two possibilities: first, animal welfare might not be valued in the market, as suggested by classical externality analysis, and second, it could be valued due to altruistic motivations. To illustrate the framework, we uncover the motives driving consumers’ demand for animal welfare products jointly utilizing the results of a discrete choice experiment and respondents’ perception data obtained in China. Our findings align with the predictions made by classical externality analysis, indicating that the public good aspect of animal welfare is not valued in this market and thereby challenging the existence of altruistic behavior. Moreover, our analysis of consumer heterogeneity reveals that as consumers’ knowledge increases, they exhibit a decreased inclination to prioritize the animal welfare attribute for fulfilling their private needs, and may raise concerns about the safety of animal welfare‐friendly products.

Evidence of mating-motivated altruistic behavior in time spent on a shared online task.

Evidence of mating-motivated altruistic behavior in time spent on a shared online task.

Whole genome sequencing of a Domibacillus strain from the Cuatro Ciénegas basin that tends to act as an altruist.

Domibacillus sp. 8LH is a whitish bacterium isolated from the pools of the Cuatro Cienegas Basin (CCB) in the state of Coahuila and belongs to the Bacillaceae family. It grows in circular colonies of about 6 mm in diameter and is capable of forming biofilms. This strain was identified because, in previous experiments in our laboratory, it presented altruistic interactions when co-cultured with bacteria of the genus Bacillus that participate in the nitrogen cycle. This altruistic behavior confers to this Domibacillus strain a potential use for the construction of bacterial consortia with diverse biotechnological applications.

Mobile Health-Based Health Literacy Weight Management Intervention Using Smart Devices for Adolescents: A Convergent Mixed-Methods Pilot Study.

This study aimed to develop and evaluate the feasibility of a mobile health-based health literacy weight management intervention program for adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, a convergent mixed-method design was used. The "GO! GO! Smart Healthy" intervention development engaged multidisciplinary healthcare professionals, utilizing mobile health applications and smartwatches. Participants provided data on weight management, dietary habits, and health literacy via an mHealth app, while smartwatches collected objective information on physical activity and sleep. The 12-week pilot study was conducted from March to September 2021. It evaluated the program's feasibility, employing both quantitative and thematic analyses of focus group discussions for a comprehensive assessment. Of the 27 participants, 44.4% were overweight or obese, with insufficient physical activity reported. Thematic analysis identified three main themes: empowerment, self-awareness and self-regulation, and self-comparison and reflection. Adolescents engaged with smartwatches, demonstrated increased awareness, altruistic behavior, and satisfaction. After integrating mixed-method data, revisions ensured the program's alignment with participants' preferences. Despite pandemic disruptions, mHealth apps ensured uninterrupted research, showcasing technology's evolving role in healthcare and education. Iterative feedback with participants ensured program suitability, fostering effectiveness. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04759716.

Alexithymia-A Neglected Factor Influencing Educational Satisfaction and Psychological Wellbeing in Medical Students.

Alexithymia presents a reduced ability to identify, express, and describe one's own emotions. In medical professionals, alexithymia is associated with increased burnout and substance use, as well as reduced altruistic behavior. Our aim was to examine the association between alexithymia and different sociodemographic, psychological, and somatic parameters among medical students. Participants included 186 third- and sixth-year students of the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, Serbia. Data were collected through an online survey, composed of 1) a general questionnaire (sociodemographic data, education satisfaction, grade point average, presence of psychological and somatic disorders), 2) Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale, 3) Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and 4) Beck Anxiety Inventory. Third-year students had significantly higher rates of alexithymia compared with sixth-year students. Negative correlation was found between alexithymia and educational satisfaction (r = -0.276**) and alexithymia and grade point average (r = -0.186*). A positive correlation was found between alexithymia and depression (r = 0.424**) and alexithymia and anxiety (r = 0.338**). The negative impact of alexithymia on educational satisfaction and psychological health is pronounced in the population of medical students, indicating a need for preventive programs aimed in medical schools.

Family function and adolescent altruistic behavior: the chain mediating role of extraversion personality and perceived social support.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between family function and altruistic behavior in adolescents, while also investigating the potential mediating roles of extraverted personality and perceived social support. Surveys were administered to high school students across various schools in Guangdong Province, utilizing the Family APGAR Questionnaire, Extraversion Personality Scale, Perceived Social Support Scale, and Altruistic Behavior Scale. A total of 972 valid questionnaires were collected for analysis. The findings revealed that family function did not directly predict altruistic behavior. However, extraverted personality and perceived social support were identified as mediators between family function and altruistic behavior. Furthermore, both extraverted personality and perceived social support acted as chain mediators in this relationship. These results emphasize the importance of considering family dynamics in understanding adolescent altruistic behavior and highlight the potential pathways through which family function influences altruistic tendencies. Promoting positive family environments and enhancing extraverted personality and perceived social support may facilitate the cultivation of altruistic behavior in adolescents.

Festival games: Inebriated and sober altruists

We report a staged field experiment during three concerts in the South of Italy characterized by the same traditional music and a comparable average level of alcohol consumption by attendees. Individual blood alcohol concentration is measured with electronic breathalyzers. The experimental games are payoff-equivalent private property and common property trust games. We find that alcohol consumption is associated with less sharing in the private property game and lower efficiency in the common property game. There is a game-form effect for sober participants who share less in the common property game than in the private property game. This finding is consistent with revealed altruism theory as more sharing reveals more altruistic behavior. The absence of such game-form effect among non-sober participants is consistent with alcohol myopia. Tourists share more than local residents, significantly so for sober participants. The private property game elicits more efficiency than the common property game. This game-form effect is robust across sober and non-sober participants.

Psychosocial impact on individuals who received negative test results from predictive testing for Huntington's disease: Anexploratory qualitative study.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease with autosomal dominant inheritance, and no radical cure for HD has been established. Qualitative studies are necessary to investigate the psychological state of individuals who underwent predictive testing for HD, because the psychosocial impact on noncarriers remains unclarified in Japan. Herein, we elucidated the psychosocial impact on the noncarriers for HD and the role of genetic counseling for predictive testing and follow-up after testing by examining their experiences with predictive testing. We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight individuals participating in this study. Interview data were transcribed verbatim and evaluated according to thematic analysis. As a result, 4 themes were generated from 21 categories of 46 codes: (1) Diversity of perceptions concerning the test results, (2) Views on life as a noncarrier, (3) Changes in feelings toward and relationships with family members, and (4) Sharing information within the family. After receiving the negative results, the noncarriers felt not only relief but also surprise, doubt, relief from tension, and regret. It was shown that noncarriers felt survivor's guilt toward many unspecified individuals, which was not only a sense of guilt but also a sense of mission or responsibility. Additionally, they conducted altruistic behavior as members of their family and society, that may be related to the Japanese collectivism. Some participants were concerned about sharing information with their siblings. Noncarriers for HD can experience complex psychological states, and Japanese people who prefer high-context communication may find it difficult to express their feelings and thoughts. It is important to understand their true feelings before and after the predictive genetic testing, reconsider the impact of being a noncarrier and whether it is a burden for them from both subjective and objective perspectives, and conduct long-term follow-up as needed.

Gender Dynamics In Organ Donation And Transplantation: An Analysis Of Donor And Recipient Trends

Organ donation and transplantation represent critical components of modern medicine, offering life-saving solutions for individuals with organ failure. Despite advancements in medical practices, significant gender disparities exist within these processes, where women disproportionately contribute as donors while men are predominantly recipients. This study integrates an in-depth statistical analysis of data from major registries like the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) and the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN), utilizing chi-square tests, logistic regression, multivariate analysis, and stratified sampling to elucidate these trends. By combining quantitative data with socio-cultural theories, this research aims to uncover the multifaceted causes behind these gender-based discrepancies, revealing that social conditioning, altruistic behaviour, and systemic biases in medical practices play crucial roles. The results indicate statistically significant correlations between gender and donor/recipient status, suggesting that both traditional gender roles and healthcare biases need to be addressed to create a more equitable organ donation system. The study concludes by proposing policy reforms and advocacy strategies to foster gender neutrality in organ transplantation, ultimately promoting a fairer healthcare paradigm.

Models of animal coalitions and their implications for human evolution.

Social interaction is a prime driver for the evolution of animal behaviour. Dyadic interaction, in particular, has been the focus of intensive research on the evolution of mutualistic, altruistic, selfish or spiteful behaviours. Meanwhile, triadic interaction has been the minimal framework for the study of animal coalition as observed in some species of primates, as well as in carnivores and cetaceans, where two or more individuals act jointly against a third party in a competitive context. Previous mathematical models of animal coalition have either failed to explain the observed diversity in the configuration of coalition or presumed fine-tuned decision-making that may be unrealistic for non-human animals. To approach these issues, the present study develops a new model that is fairly simple, but still able to account for the observed diversity in animal coalitions. Analysis of the model specifies key parameters affecting the predicted types of coalition: the nature of the benefit being contested, the cost-to-benefit ratio associated with fighting and the synergistic effect in coalition formation. Additionally, the model is used to evaluate the social selection hypothesis, which claims that coalition formation induced social selection favouring reduced aggression and lower fighting abilities during human evolution.

Altruistic leadership and its role in reducing knowledge hiding: the mediating effects of team learning and knowledge culture

Leadership can play an important role in knowledge hiding. This study investigated the unexplored impact of altruistic leadership (AL) on knowledge hiding by assessing the mediating role of team learning (TL) and knowledge culture (KC) in this relationship. Structural equation modeling was used to test 14 hypotheses based on primary data from 368 surveyed Slovakian companies representing diverse enterprises. Data were gathered from various companies spanning a range of industries, including manufacturing, education, wholesale and retail, construction, and information technology. Of these, 164 were from micro-enterprises, 114 were from small enterprises, 67 were from medium-sized enterprises, and 23 were from large enterprises. This article reveals how AL can mitigate the negative effects of knowledge hiding by supporting TL and cultivating a KC. These findings indicate that leaders who exhibit altruistic behavior positively influence TL, enhancing KC and reducing instances of knowledge hiding. The primary data tested in our model confirm that selfless leadership reduces knowledge hiding by encouraging TL and KC. This suggests that, when selecting team leaders, their level of altruism should be considered. The roles of TL and KC in promoting knowledge sharing within organizations and emphasizing the importance of team effectiveness and mutual communication are crucial. This study contributes to the existing literature by examining the direct impact of AL on knowledge-hiding behavior, demonstrating how AL promotes TL and a knowledge-sharing culture, thereby eliminating knowledge hiding, including the practical implications. Future qualitative studies and research extending to other locations could help deepen our understanding of these relationships and incorporate additional concepts and factors.

Альтруизм: социальные представления и практики студентов

In the conditions of systemic transformations of modern society, increasing dynamism of social life, there are changes in the perceptions and real practices of the young generation, including students. The appeal to the analysis of altruism as a social phenomenon is associated with the revision of the model of further social development based on the spiritual and moral value foundation. The main purpose of the study was to examine the young generation's perceptions of altruism and practices of altruistic behavior. Based on the materials of the sociological survey conducted in the spring of 2024, the object of which were students of the Sverdlovsk region (n=313), as well as a series of semi-formalized interviews (n=34), the article argues that altruism in students' perceptions is selfless help to another as a normative behavior that is formed in the process of socialization under the influence of such agents as family, reference group, teaching community. Despite the fact that students do not identify themselves as altruists, nevertheless, in their life space there are altruistic practices that mark the everyday citizenhood of young people: students donate money and things to charity, give up a seat in public transport and skip the queue, help with homework, help the elderly and old people on the street, participate in the improvement of the city or district. In the structure of motivation of altruistic behavior, the leading positions are occupied by the desire to do kindness, to benefit people and responsibility for the world in which we live. The materials of the study showed the high transformative potential of the modern young generation, the obtained data indicate that altruism becomes a social quality of youth as a subject of social development.

Third-party punishment-like behavior in a rat model

Third-party punishment (TPP) is an altruistic behavior or sense willing to punish transgressors as a third party not directly involved in the transgression. TPP is observed worldwide, regardless of tradition and culture, and is essential for morality in human society. Moreover, even preverbal infants display TPP-like judgement, suggesting that TPP is evolutionarily conserved and innate. Thus, it is possible that non-human animals display TPP-like behavior, although TPP has been said to be human-specific. We investigated whether or not male mature Wistar rats displayed TPP-like behaviors when they witnessed deadly aggression by an unknown aggressive mouse toward another unknown victim mouse. Normally reared rats did not display TPP-like behaviors, but rats reared with extensive affectionate handling by human caretakers as beloved pets contacted the unknown aggressive mice in a gentle manner leading to reduced aggression toward the unknown victim mice, even when the aggressive mice fought back. Furthermore, the handled rats touched unknown rat pups that were drowning in water and anesthesia-induced comatose rats more frequently than control rats. These findings suggest a possibility that TPP is not in fact human-specific and innate but rather an acquired behavior that flourishes in affectionate circumstances.

Evolution of cooperation with asymmetric rewards

Rewards, as a form of positive reinforcement, effectively encourage cooperation. In this paper, we study a multi-population prisoner's dilemma game with asymmetric rewards, where agents in the same population play prisoner's dilemma game, and agents from the giver population can reward agents from the recipient population only if they make the same choice. In well-mixed populations, asymmetric rewards can facilitate cooperation. Similarly, asymmetric rewards on the regular square lattice can effectively prevent complete defection. In both well-mixed and structured populations, seemingly disadvantageous cooperative givers play an important role in the maintenance and spread of cooperation. Especially on lattice, cooperative givers with asymmetric rewards can be active in the system through diverse cases of cyclic dominance. Our findings provide deeper insights into the impact of asymmetry on cooperative behavior and the development of altruistic behavior in real-world scenarios.

Longitudinal associations between parental psychological control and adolescents' intergroup attitudes to prosocial behaviors towards ethnic outgroups.

While a substantial body of existing literature has examined the negative effects of parental psychological control on adolescents' prosocial behaviors, there is a noticeable gap in whether parental psychological control affects prosocial behaviors towards ethnic outgroup members. This three-wave longitudinal study investigated whether similar relations can be observed between parental psychological control and prosocial behaviors targeted at ethnic outgroup persons, and whether these relations are mediated by adolescents' intergroup attitudes. Participants were 412 European American adolescents (42% girls; Mage = 15.63 years at Time 1) and their primary caregivers (52% mothers) residing in the United States. They completed online questionnaires. Parents completed a measure of parental psychological control at Time 1. Adolescents completed measures of intergroup attitudes, public, and altruistic outgroup prosocial behavior at all three time points (T1, T2, T3), each approximately 8 months apart. The retention rate was 38.1% (N = 157; 44% girls) at Time 3. Path analyses revealed a direct negative link between parental psychological control and altruistic prosocial behavior towards ethnic outgroup persons but a direct positive association to public prosocial behavior towards outgroup persons. Importantly, parental psychological control was indirectly related to adolescents' prosocial behavior towards ethnic outgroup persons, via its effect on their intergroup attitudes. The findings underscore how parental psychological control and adolescents' intergroup attitudes contribute to shaping prosocial behaviors towards ethnic outgroups.

Analysis of the Current Situation and Influencing Factors of Psychological Well-Being of Elderly People in the Community

Objective: To investigate the current psychological well-being of older people in the community and analyze its influencing factors. Methods: A total of 265 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above in Baoding City, Hebei Province, were selected through convenience sampling from November 2023 to March 2024. They were surveyed using a general information questionnaire and a comprehensive well-being questionnaire, with results analyzed statistically using SPSS 27.0. Results: Six dimensions of the psychological well-being scale for community older adults were identified: life vitality (P50 = 4.83), health concern (P50 = 4.6), self-worth (P50 = 5.6), friendly relationships (P50 = 5.33), altruistic behavior (P50 = 5.2), personality growth (P50 = 4.67), and comprehensive well-being (P50 = 161). Multivariate regression analysis showed that social isolation (β = -0.021, P < 0.001), type of work (β = -0.142, P < 0.001), chronic disease history (β = 0.004, P < 0.001), need for mobility aid (β = 0.192, P < 0.001), and monthly income (β = 0.381, P < 0.001) were factors influencing psychological well-being. Conclusion: The psychological well-being of the elderly is slightly above moderate and requires improvement. Enhancing factors such as reducing social isolation, addressing chronic disease history, and improving financial support could improve psychological well-being in older adults.

Stackelberg game analysis of the energy performance contracting considering altruistic preferences

The Stackelberg game analysis of an Energy Performance Contracting(EPC) is established to correctly analyze the impact of altruistic preference behaviors on the decision-makers, energy service companies(ESCOs) and energy-consuming units(EUs). Its motivation comes from the fact that, to achieve a win-win situation, EUs usually engage in altruistic behaviors, but the implementation results of the EPC are always contrary to their expectations. Using nonlinear optimization theory, analyzed the decisions of the Stackelberg models under different altruistic preference attributes, and then compared the impacts of altruistic preferences on decisions and profits. Results reveal: (1)compared to a situation lacking altruistic preference, when the leader, the EU, has an altruistic preference, the EU only needs to transfer a small part of its own interests to significantly increase the ESCO's profit and ultimately improve the overall EPC profit; (2) the altruistic preference of the ESCO functions akin to a "poison," engrossing the company in the satisfaction derived from the increased revenue of the energy-consuming entity and gradually eroding its own profits; and (3)the altruistic preference behavior of both parties is a kind of “benefit transfer behavior,” which is conducive to stable operation and long-term development of EPC industry. The research results can provide a theoretical reference to enhance the development of energy-saving service industry.

The role of altruistic behavior in emergency evacuation: A simulation study

Given the rising threat of terror attacks and the increasing frequency of natural disasters attributed to climate change, enhancing evacuation capacities in various spaces has become crucial for saving lives and accelerating recovery processes. This study investigates the influence of altruistic behavior on evacuation efficiency by developing a social force model that categorizes individuals into three demographic groups: youth, middle-aged, and seniors. Simulation experiments based on the model were conducted to evaluate the impact of altruistic behavior on evacuation efficiency under different conditions, such as evacuation capacity, reliability, and recovery time. The simulation results show that a higher probability of falling leads to longer evacuation times. While an increase in the probability of altruistic behavior improves evacuation efficiency, excessive altruistic behavior causes evacuation times to vary in a zigzag pattern. When the help range exceeds 0.7m, evacuation efficiency fluctuates without a clear trend of improvement.