MindWorks
In the Spirit of Altruism
Renita C. Gabriel, Psy.D., contributing editor
As we prepare for this holiday season, it is easy to become consumed with gift giving and “spreading holiday cheer.” We often find ourselves in a situation where we are operating out of a sense of obligation and tradition. For instance, many of us will purchase gifts and send holiday greeting cards because we have received gifts and cards from others and we consider it “rude” or “poor form” not to return the favor. There is also the expectation (sometimes subtle and other times not so subtle) by the other party that they will receive some sort of gift in return for their “thoughtfulness”, hence the term “gift exchange.” I would like to challenge us however, to consider the true definition of a gift, which is “something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation” (www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gift). When juxtaposed with its true definition our societal approach to gift gifting seems somewhat backward and the notion of a gift exchange an oxymoron. Like many of you, I greatly enjoy and appreciate receiving gifts during this season, however, I can earnestly say I enjoy giving gifts more than receiving them. Without the social/cultural pressures of the holiday season, many of us have a natural propensity to give sacrificially. Why is this the case? Psychologists and other scientists offer the explanation of altruism.
Altruism is defined as an unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. In animals it is seen as a behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to itself (that may in fact be harmful to itself) but that benefits others of its species (www.merriam -webster.com/dictionary/altruism). An illustration of this behavior was observed in chimpanzees in a situation where two chimpanzees were in adjoining cages. One chimpanzee had food the other did not. The chimpanzee without the food began to beg the other for food. The other chimpanzee reluctantly offered the foodless chimpanzee some of his food. Scientists
were intrigued by the reluctance with which the chimpanzee offered its peer the food because this was an indicator of sacrificial giving (Aronson, 1999). Why would the chimpanzee or any other species behave this way? The literature suggests that there was an evolutionary value to altruism in that it promoted cooperative behaviors within different groups for their ultimate survival. For example, food sharing and the pooling together of resources in hunting and gathering societies was the way in which they were able to sustain themselves (Aronson, 1999 & Gurven, 2006). In more industrial societies, altruism has been studied in the context of volunteerism and there are noted physical and mental health benefits. Numerous sources suggest that the mental health benefits of volunteering include lower rates of depression and anxiety.
As we reflect on the altruistic spirit at the core of this holiday season, let us consider how we can practice sacrificial giving. What can you give this holiday? Is it your time? (e.g., volunteering at a local soup kitchen) Is it your resources? (e.g., donating gifts to children through a Toys for Tots or similar program) Is it your “gifts” (e.g., talents, abilities, etc.)? Whatever you decide to do or give, do it and give it heartedly in the spirit of altruism. Consider the following TIP:
Take a moment to identify someone or something to whom you can give.
Identify how you will give.
Put it into practice.
References
Aronson, E. (1999). The social animal (8th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Gurven, M. ( 2006). The evolution of contingent cooperation. Current Anthropology, 47 (1), 185-192.
