Table 1.
Examples Supporting the Biological and Psychological Aspects of Altruism. a
| Examples | Comment |
|---|---|
| Basic science | |
| Dedicated neurophysiology | Neuroanatomy responsible for empathy, compassion, and connection, along with neurohormonal effects (eg, oxytocin, serotonin) suggest an intricate system designed to encourage and sustain kindness and altruism.58,59 |
| Altruism has genetic basis | The population genetics of altruism and cooperation have been defined showing overall advantage to a species 88 |
| Social connection and kindness feel good | Powerful internal mechanisms exist to reinforce being kind and connecting positively with others. Being kind to someone else, or seeing kindness, makes people feel good, affecting reward/pleasure centers. Conversely, loneliness is a painful state, providing motivation to connect with others.28,31 |
| Psychosocial and biomedical observations | |
| Toddlers demonstrate helping behaviors | Observed in multiple studies, including with infants. Empathy allows for helping behaviors. Supports notion that altruism appears before moral development 89 |
| Partner selection | Selection of long-term partners is significantly influenced by kindness of the potential partner. Being described as kind increases physical attractiveness of potential partner. 90 |
| Effect of caring touch | Humans, and many other species, respond positively to caring touch with relaxation response and decrease in blood pressure. 91 Caring touch decreases pain and promotes social connection. 92 Hugs are very effective at relieving stress and can affect response to viral infection. 91 Simply seeing caring touch elicits effects on viewers. 80 |
| Volunteers have lower mortality | People who volunteer regularly have decreased death rates, likely through the promotion of positive connection when giving to another. Volunteers have decreases in markers of inflammation compared with non-volunteers. 53 |
| Altruism is present in many species | Multiple species will sacrifice for its own members—including ants, bats, rodents, and primates 81 |
a
This table illustrates the multiple facets supporting the thesis that altruism (kindness and caring) is an intrinsic part of behavior and biology. The number and diversity of facets exemplify the evolutionary drive to conserve altruism and related aspects (empathy, compassion, etc). Although the list is not exhaustive, taken together, these and other observations support the contention that the need for positive interpersonal connection through kindness and caring is an innate characteristic that has important implication for health. It also suggests that promoting kindness and cooperation does not necessarily depend on moral persuasion or guilt.