• Psychology -> Social and Personality Psychology

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Can altruism be a form of self-interest or personal gain?

Tonda Lumbers

Yes, altruism can be a form of self-interest or personal gain. When someone does something kind or helpful for others, they may feel good about themselves and get a sense of satisfaction or happiness. This is a personal gain that comes from helping others.

Altruism can also be a form of self-interest because when we help others, they may be more likely to help us in the future. For example, if you help your friend with a problem, they may be more willing to help you when you need it. This is called the "reciprocity principle" and it means that we often do things for others with the expectation that they will do something for us in return.

However, just because there may be a personal gain involved in altruism, it doesn't mean that the act of helping others is any less valuable or meaningful. In fact, helping others can have many positive effects on our mental and physical health, as well as on our relationships with others.

So, while altruism may involve some form of self-interest or personal gain, it is still a valuable and important way to show kindness and compassion towards others.