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Few topics through the ages have garnered as much scholarly attention as altruism. Across many different philosophical, theological, and scientific disciplines, scholars have critically debated and researched the topic of altruism posing such questions as: Are humans innately good or bad? Are there actions that are selflessly motivated? Or do all behaviors stem from selfish motives? Questions such as these spark heated debate and much controversy because the answers have tremendous theoretical and practical implications for human nature and functioning. Since psychology is a relatively young science, the study of altruism in psychology is also relatively new and continues to be a focal point for debate and controversy.
The tremendous interest in altruism stems in part from a desire to understand individuals who commit themselves to acts of heroism and sacrifice to assist others – sometimes at risk for their own life or well-being (Staub, 2005). Such individuals have sometimes been termed moral or care exemplars by scholars (Colby & Damon, 1992), and many such individuals have been identified in history (e.g., Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa). However, there are many others not so recognized who commit such acts in relative obscurity in our local communities and across the world. It is not that such individuals always behave altruistically, but rather that some individuals exhibit such acts relatively frequently across time and situations. Furthermore, although those individuals might feel obligated, or feel it a duty, to help others, such duty or obligation is primarily intrinsically rather than extrinsically based.
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