Question

According to Batson's empathy-altruism hypothesis, a. people will offer selfless help only when they truly empathize with the victim. b. true altruism exists only in empathic responses to family members. c. there is no such thing as true altruism, but there is true empathy. d. empathy and altruism are linked only in cases of heroic rescues.

Short answer

a. People will offer selfless help only when they truly empathize with the victim.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Concept

The question refers to Batson's empathy-altruism hypothesis. This psychological hypothesis suggests a connection between empathy and altruistic behavior.

Understand the Hypothesis

According to Batson's hypothesis, when people feel empathy toward someone, they are more likely to engage in altruistic helping behavior, meaning they help without expecting anything in return.

Evaluate the Answer Options

Examine each answer choice in the context of the empathy-altruism hypothesis: - a. People will offer selfless help only when they truly empathize with the victim. - b. True altruism exists only in empathic responses to family members. - c. There is no such thing as true altruism, but there is true empathy. - d. Empathy and altruism are linked only in cases of heroic rescues.

Match the Hypothesis with Options

Choice (a) aligns well with the hypothesis: according to the empathy-altruism hypothesis, selfless help is given primarily when empathy is felt towards a victim. Choices (b), (c), and (d) do not accurately reflect the hypothesis. - (b) Misplaces focus on family members only. - (c) Denies true altruism entirely. - (d) Restricts the link to only heroic rescues.

Key concepts

Empathy

Empathy is the deep emotional capacity to understand and share another person's experiences, emotions, or feelings. It goes beyond mere sympathy, which is more about feeling pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. Empathy allows individuals to place themselves in another's shoes and see the world from their perspective. This emotional connection is crucial for social bonding and communication. Empathetic people tend to be more cooperative and supportive in their interactions. There are different types of empathy:

• Affective Empathy: The ability to respond with the appropriate emotion to others’ mental states. It involves mirroring another person's feelings.
• Cognitive Empathy: The capacity to understand another's perspective or mental state without necessarily feeling the emotions themselves.
• Compassionate Empathy: Combines both cognitive and affective empathy, prompting action to help.

An empathetic response can often lead to positive actions, such as helping those in distress, as highlighted by the empathy-altruism hypothesis.

Altruism

Altruism is a selfless concern for the well-being of others. It involves acting in a way that benefits someone else without the expectation of personal gains, rewards, or recognition. This concept often stands in contrast to behaviors that are driven by self-interest. Acts of altruism can range from small gestures, like offering a seat to someone on a bus, to significant sacrifices, such as risking one's life to save someone in danger. Altruism is essential for building a compassionate society and fostering strong communities. In the context of the empathy-altruism hypothesis, altruism is believed to emerge when empathy is present. When individuals empathize with someone, they may feel compelled to help, acting out of pure altruism without any underlying incentives. This suggests that empathy can act as a motivator for altruistic behavior, distinguishing it from self-serving motives.

Psychological Hypotheses

Psychological hypotheses are proposed explanations or educated guesses that predict relationships between variables in psychology. They serve as a foundation for scientific research, providing a basis to test and understand human behavior. One significant psychological hypothesis is Batson's empathy-altruism hypothesis, which suggests a direct link between empathy and altruistic actions. According to this hypothesis:

• Empathy fuels altruistic behavior. It means when we truly empathize with someone, we are more inclined to offer selfless support.
• It challenges the idea that all human actions are driven by self-interest, proposing that true altruism can indeed exist.
• This hypothesis has been tested across various scenarios to understand the dynamics of human compassion and selflessness.

Understanding and testing such hypotheses aid in unraveling the complexities of human emotions and behaviors. They highlight the impact of psychological factors, like empathy, on societal interactions.