Altruism is putting the needs of others before your own. It is helping someone, even if it means putting yourself at risk. One example of altruism is the way many heroic people worked hard to evacuate the World Trade Center Towers during the 9/11 attacks. These people put their own lives in danger in an effort to save the lives of others. Another example of altruism is stopping to help someone with a flat tire. Psychologists spend a lot of time researching altruism. Psychologists want to know the reason why people choose altruistic behavior, or choose to avoid it. Many studies have found that empathy, or the ability to relate to another person’s situation is a major factor in altruistic action. For example, a person that has experienced having a broken leg and using crutches for an extended period of time is more likely to reach out to someone in that situation. One woman posted an account on the Internet explaining that she felt empathy towards a college classmate on crutches and recognized that the fellow student wanted a cup of coffee but had no way to manage a cup of coffee while using crutches. The woman offered the person with crutches a seat and brought that person a cup of coffee. Another explanation for altruistic behavior is guilt. Some studies have shown that people will exhibit an altruistic behavior, such as donating to charity, as a way to relieve guilt. One woman shared that she was solicited for a donation for the soldiers in Iraq. She felt unable to decline. She gave a small amount and felt guilt-free for the rest of her day. Altruistic behavior that is guilt-driven may actually be more self-centered than altruistic.
Psychologists also have theories about why people do not help others in times of need. Ample research has supported the theory of the bystander effect. In the bystander effect there are many witnesses to a crime, but no one does anything. The bystanders follow the examples of all the other bystanders and do nothing. In this situation, the bystanders pass the responsibility on to each other and no one feels compelled to help. Fear is also a contributing factor to avoiding altruistic behavior. Self-preservation is a powerful instinct. Sometimes, people observing dangerous situations refuse to get involved because they are afraid of getting hurt. Psychologists have found that one other reason why people do not help others is they believe that the person in need has caused the situation. For example, family members may turn their backs on a relative that is homeless because of a drinking problem. The family members believe that the homeless relative is to blame for the situation and will not help until the person changes. In contrast, people are more likely to help in situations when the problem is caused by an external factor. For instance, people from other communities will gladly assist communities that have been struck by natural disasters.
Altruism is an unselfish concern for the welfare of others. Factors that contribute to altruistic behavior are empathy, guilt, and a sense of social responsibility. Factors that oppose altruism include the bystander effect, fear, lack of empathy, and a belief that the person in need has caused the crisis. The organizational structure of this passage is