A Scientific Search for Altruism

Do We Only Care About Ourselves?

C. Daniel Batson

Relies on experiments studying humans to address the question of whether altruistic motivation exists
Suggests that the evolutionary basis for empathy-induced altruism lies in cognitive generalization of parental care
Considers both positive and negative practical implications of the existence of empathy-induced altruism

A Scientific Search for Altruism

Do We Only Care About Ourselves?

C. Daniel Batson

Description

For centuries, the egoism-altruism debate has echoed through Western thought. Egoism says that the motivation for everything we do, including our seemingly selfless acts of care for others, is to gain one or another self-benefit. Altruism, while not denying the force of self-interest, says that under certain circumstances we can care for others for their sakes, not our own. Over the past half-century, social psychologists have turned to laboratory experiments on humans to provide a scientific resolution of this debate about our nature. The experiments have focused on the possibility that empathic concern-other-oriented emotion elicited by and congruent with the perceived welfare of someone in need-produces altruistic motivation to remove that need.

With carefully constructed experimental designs, these scientists have tested the nature of the motivation produced by empathic concern, determining whether it is egoistic or altruistic and, thereby, providing an answer to a fundamental question about what makes us tick.

Framed as a detective story, this book traces the scientific search for altruism through numerous studies and attempts to examine various motivational suspects, reaching the improbable conclusion that empathy-induced altruism is indeed part of our nature. The book then considers the implications of this conclusion both for our understanding of who we are as humans (the bad news as well as the good) and for how we might create a more humane society.

A Scientific Search for Altruism

Do We Only Care About Ourselves?

C. Daniel Batson

Chapter 1. An Unsettling Surprise

Part I. Starting the Search
Chapter 2. What We're Looking For
Chapter 3. How to Find It
Chapter 4. The Prime Suspect

Part II. More Suspects
Chapter 5. Avoiding Shame and Guilt
Chapter 6. Pursuing Pride
Chapter 7. One Way to Feel Better
Chapter 8. The Pleasure of Empathic Joy

Part III. Three New Possibilities
Chapter 9. A Gang
Chapter 10. Self-Other Merging
Chapter 11. Premature Release of the Prime

Part IV. Facing the Consequences
Chapter 12. How Can It Be?
Chapter 13. Some Good News
Chapter 14. Some Bad
Chapter15. After the Fall

Acknowledgements
References

A Scientific Search for Altruism

Do We Only Care About Ourselves?

C. Daniel Batson

Author Information

C. Daniel Batson is an experimental social psychologist. He received a Ph.D. in psychology from Princeton University in 1972 and taught at the University of Kansas until his retirement in 2008. For over 40 years, his research has focused on prosocial motivation, with particular emphasis on altruistic and moral motivation, and related emotions. He has published well over a hundred research articles and chapters on these topics, as well as two previous books on altruism.

A Scientific Search for Altruism

Do We Only Care About Ourselves?

C. Daniel Batson

Reviews and Awards

"Batson's command of the experimental research provides an exceptionally lucid entry point into the empirical psychology of altruism, and as such, this volume would be an engaging resource not only for undergraduate and graduate students, but also to anyone approaching the topic for the first time." -- Metapsychology Online Reviews

"Survival of the fittest is a harsh reality that pervades both evolution and the free enterprise economy. Yet for many, kindness to others, arising from empathic concern, is an important reality. But is this kindness 'real' or just an indirect way to benefit one's self? Daniel Batson clearly explains how experiments have established that true altruism is indeed real, powerful and widespread. It matters a great deal that altruism arose within the natural evolution of people and society. This means that kindness is in our nature. Perhaps this helps to explain how democracies can remain fair and good, despite occasional setbacks. Thus, Batson's clear explanation also offers hope for the future." --Lorne A. Whitehead, Professor of Physics and Astronomy and Special Advisor for Innovation, University of British Columbia

"For the past 40 years, Dan Batson has been one of the foremost contributors to the empirical research literature of prosocial behavior, and the current volume gives a behind-the-scenes look at the logic and methodologies that served as the foundation for his tests of the empathy-altruism hypothesis. Using an easily accessible, almost conversational style, he offers readers his explanations for why certain paths were taken in his research program, while others were not pursued and concludes by exploring both the potential benefits and the possible drawbacks associated with empathy-induced altruistic helping. This book will provide professionals and interested laypersons alike with a comprehensive review of Batson's impressive research program; it is a good read." -- David A. Schroeder, Professor Emeritus of Psychological Science, University of Arkansas

"A Scientific Search for Altruism is a remarkable achievement. Over the last four decades, Batson's work has revolutionized the study of altruism. This book provides an accessible and engaging overview of what we now know about altruism that manages to be both readable and rigorously argued." -- Stephen Stich, Board of Governors Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science, Rutgers University

"This book is a kind of busman's tour of his own and other's research into the empathy-altruism relationship, the twists and turns that research has taken, and the conclusions the author has drawn from it. Organized almost as a kind of scientific adventure story, the book provides an extraordinarily compelling history of research on altruism, as the author is a marvelously engaging storyteller and one of the scientists uniquely qualified to tell this amazing tale of who we are." -- Choice