Issue Analysis: Does True Altruism Exist?

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Issue Analysis: Does True Altruism Exist? Elizabeth H. Dixon PSYCH/555 August 21, 2011 Kelly Topp, Ph.D. Issue Analysis: Does True Altruism Exist? Social psychology is a field where it is often common to have different opinions and views of topics that discuss the forever -changing thoughts and actions of people within society. Pros and cons exist that sometimes prove worthy of existing as an issue and sometimes further arguments or points that may never be proven as the correct way to practice or believe. In this paper the subject to discuss includes two arguments in reference to the existence of true altruism, better known as the ability to help others unselfishly. The “yes” side of the argument is the views of C. Daniel Batson and his colleagues who believe people are capable of helping others with true unselfish interest. The “no” side of the argument is the views of Robert Cialdini and his colleagues who believe people often help others as self fulfillment that allows people to make themselves feel better. Summary of Arguments Social psychologist C. Daniel Batson and his colleagues propose that “people sometimes help for purely altruistic reasons” (Nier, 2010, Issue 17, Issue Summary, para. 1). In their “pro” attitude toward altruism, Batson and his colleagues infer that empathy is a major factor in altruism because when people can imagine or experience the feelings of others, they have a feeling of “walking in the same shoes” as others. Batson and his colleagues believe that these feelings will prompt genuine feelings and concern for others and their well-being, which will cause others to more than likely help for altruistic reasons (Nier, 2010). Batson describes the belief of he and his colleagues by describing a laboratory experiment designed to test his hypothesis. Batson and his colleagues devised an experimental procedure
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