Altruism is the act of devotion for the wellbeing of others. Since it involves practices of selfless concern, altruism has been associated with increased happiness and health. A study by Otake et al. (2006) on the roles of altruism revealed that individuals who have consistently practiced altruism end up with satisfying lives than their counterparts. In addition, these studies have noted that these individuals are not likely to suffer from conditions like somatization, anxiety or depression. Besides mental health, altruism has shown improved physical health due to the rigorous community services that an altruistic person engages in. additionally, improved mental and physical health are associated with longevity. On the other hand, professional responsibilities are values that people usually strive to follow. In most occasions these values include responsibility, kindness, tact, integrity and follow through, whereas, personal social responsibilities include the responsibilities of a person to the society at large.
Professional responsibility is very necessary in decision making. Indeed it is the use of ethics that will ensure equality at work. This is because it will prevent professionals from taking advantage of their counterparts. In addition, it assists the employees to develop trust and respect with one another. This is very necessary for development of the organization since it can lead to more opportunities. When individuals make decisions that improve the wellbeing of people within their surrounding, they are referred to as being socially responsible. The roles of personal social responsibility are well appreciated when team work is desired. Thus in community service, institutions which have always succeeded in effectively accomplishing their goals and ensuring increased productivity have often encouraged personal social responsibility. Moreover people who are socially responsible are always motivated to better their communities and neighborhood alike. Codependency is the state of placing lower priorities on an individual needs. Therefore, by being more thoughtful of the needs of others, an individual is likely to practice personal social responsibility which in the long run contributes to the community development.
Most psychologists have indicated that psychological altruism is the state where an individual is motivated to enhance other people’s wellbeing. These psychologists have also considered altruism in the lenses of the social exchange theory. Here they have argued that psychological altruism can only be achieved when people embrace self sacrificial nature. In this regard, the benefits of altruism must surpass its cost. Thus according to this theory there are only four kinds of psychological altruism which include egoism, the altruism intended to benefit ones self, principlism which is practiced to uphold ones moral values, collectivism which is exercised to enhance benefit of the whole group and lastly altruism which is intended to benefit other people. Nevertheless, psychologists accept that only altruism that is intended to benefit another person is genuinely selfless.
Altruism improves empathetic desires which motivates people to assists those who are suffering. Researchers have revealed that by developing helping behaviors, people often overcome their personal distress. Altruism acts like volunteering are associated with happiness and longevity. Hence, it can conclusively be accepted that altruism helps in improving human conditions. The known personal and professional responsibilities related to altruism include community service, comforting, helping, philanthropy, sharing and corporation.
The future of psychology in relation to altruism is motivating. This is because many psychologists have identified positive association between altruistic behaviors and happiness. Further studies have established that increased happiness is associated with high quality of wellbeing.
Reference
Otake, K., Shimai, S., Tanaka, M. J., Otsui, K., Fredrickson, B. L. (2006). Happy people become happier through kindness: A counting kindnesses intervention. Journal of Happiness Studies 7 (3): 361–375.
