The rated and observed moral behavior, judgment, and affect of 120 preadolescent, predominantly lower-class boys from early-divorced (before the boys were 6), late-divorced (between 6 and 10), and parentally intact homes were investigated. In addition, the mothers' discipline (power assertive, inductive, and love withdrawal) and affection were examined by asking subjects about their mothers' methods of dealing with their transgressions.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Evolution of altruism by group selection involves sacrifice of some individuals, not to the "group as a whole," but to other individuals in the group. Deme-group selection may establish strictly altruistic genes in a population, but only under limited conditions, and perhaps never among vertebrates, among which apparently altruistic behaviors may always potentially benefit the altruists. Responsive-group selection is a more effective mode of evolution of altruism, conspicuous in man.
The psychophysiological responses of 60 subjects were measured as they observed a performer play a roulette game. Half of the subjects were led to believe that they were similar to the performer in personality and values, and half were led to believe that they were dissimilar. Half of the subjects in each condition believed that the performer won money and experienced pain as he played the game, and half believed that he performed a cognitive and motor skill task.
Seven cases of psychiatric consultations on medical and surgical wards are reviewed to show how intrapsychic conflicts in the staff may make the consultation request appear inappropriate. On deeper examination, such requests may signify staff dysfunction caused by arousal of conflictual feelings about the behavior of illness of the patient. Mutilated, mute patients appear to arouse fear of agression in their caregivers, who in turn reject such patients, see them as alien and violent, and become illogical in their management.
In an attempt to gain insight into the motivations of blood donors and nondonors, two paper and pencil questionnaires were developed and mailed to approximately 7,000 individuals. In response, 1,429 nondonors and 200 donors completed and returned usable questionnaires. Among donors, awareness of the need for blood, altruism, and investment for the future (blood credit) were the chief motivating factors. Among nondonors the major deterrent was belief in medical disqualification.
After a 16-week clinical trial of a new anti-inflammatory drug, the participants were given a factual test to determine whether they had understood and remembered the information given them when consent was solicited. They filled out a questionnaire about their reasons for volunteering and their views on clinical studies and on medical practice in general. Demographic information was also obtained. Two thirds of the participants did not remember that they had been informed about potential risk (gastrointestinal ulceration).
A study was conducted to provide a means for reconciliation of the conflicting data on the relationship of negative mood state to altruism. Whereas some studies have shown that negative mood leads to increases in altruistic action, others have shown the reverse. It was hypothesized that the inconsistency of these results was due to differences in the ages and consequent levels of socialization of the subjects employed in the earlier studies.
Sixty English-language articles on the motivation and recruitment of blood donors and nondonors are reviewed and evaluated. Apparently researchers have been finding essentially the same results for approximately twenty years. Motivations to donate are: altruism/humanitarian, personal or family credit, social pressure, replacement and reward. Motivations not to donate are: fear (of needle, sight of blood, weakness, finger or ear pricking), medical excuses, reactions, apathy, and inconvenience.
Biological and psychological research into the antecedents of altruism has considerable significance for those involved in the teaching or practice of medicine. The evidence available indicates that altruistic behaviour is a universal phenomenon influenced by intra-individual, interpersonal, situational and sociocultural factors. A central theme which emerges is the strikingly ambivalent nature of the altruistic drive. The factors which may facilitate or inhibit altruism in medical students and doctors are discussed.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Altruism is a group phenomenon in which some genes or individuals, which must be presumed to be selfish, benefit others at cost to themselves. The presumption of selfishness and the fact of altruism are reconciled by kin-group selection and by reciprocal altruism. Kin-group selection is clearly visible only in special cases; its role even among social insects may be overestimated; it is probably usually inhibited by competition. However, reciprocal altruism is ubiquitous.
