Introduction
The act of helping a beggar as a social behavior (Selflessness or altruism)
Altruism is the practice or principle of concern for other people that individuals learn from each other that has been accepted in the society. It is the opposite of selfishness, and it results when an individual performs an action at the cost of themselves that is bound to benefit either directly or indirectly another third party without expecting compensation for their deeds(Batson & Powell, 2003). The act of helping a beggar a social behavior is a traditional virtue in many cultures and is passed on from one particular generation to another. As they grow, children are able to learn the act from their elders and peers, and implicate similar deeds. However, there has been debate as to whether true selflessness such as helping a beggar is possible in psychology (Brañas-Garza et al., 2010). According to the psychological egoism theory, there is no act of helping, sacrificing, sharing that can be considered to be truly altruistic. This is because the actor may receive some intrinsic rewards that can be in the form of personal gratification. However, the validity of the argument depends on whether the rewards qualify as beneficial to them (Wenseleers & Ratnieks, 2006).
Random acts of helping and kindness to a beggar with no food or shelter are a means by which individuals make deliberative attempts of brightening the other person’s life by doing something that is caring, thoughtful and nice. Over the years, humankind has demonstrated the act and has passed it over generations recognizing its importance. This act of selflessness and helping is supported by Brañas-Garza et al. (2010) article that stipulates that altruistic behaviors such as helping a beggar in need is a way by which individuals show others that they are important and they count in the society. The article recognizes the importance of helping others in the creation of a kindness aware society that values the spirit of generosity and kindness towards each other as an essential part of creating a healthy community. Helping as an attitude is infectious. When individuals share and are concerned about another person’s welfare, others are inspired by the example and think about doing something as kind to other people.
In psychology, the concept of altruism act of helping a beggar has been contrasted with the concept of egoism that is considered as the motivation of increasing one's welfare over another person’s welfare. In the society, this is considered as an antisocial behavior and those caught practicing such acts are condemned. According to the social exchange theory, altruism act of helping a beggar only exists in circumstances when the benefits of the selfless act outweigh the costs that are involved (Batson & Powell, 2003). Individuals in the society are taught to have an empathetic concern to help the needy in times of distress even when the situation that the needy person is in could be easily be avoided. However, the vice versa is true as individuals who lack the empathetic concern will walk away and avoid helping unless it is impossible to avoid the situation of another’s persons suffering. Children are able to learn and understand the social behavior of helping a beggar and others in need at about two years of age, when they are capable of understanding the subtle emotional cues and act is natured by their guardians and the society as well (Strack & Deutsch, 2004).
The concept of helping a beggar is demonstrated by prosocial behaviors such as sharing, giving, helping, motivating the individual, comforting as well as philanthropy. Individuals are more likely to help when they recognize and fell the personal responsibility of reducing the personal distress of another person (Brañas-Garza et al., 2010). The social behavior of helping beggars and other persons who are in need has been linked to a greater satisfaction and wellbeing level among the individuals involved in helping. Such acts related with altruism and helping others are important in improving the physical health, mental health and longevity of the individuals. According to a study conducted in the elderly aged individuals 55 years and above who were involved in volunteering in an organizations, the study results revealed that their act reduced the likelihood of dying by 63 percent. Thus, Selflessness or altruism social behavior is important in enhancing the individual’s happiness and well-being as highlighted above when individuals are involved in helping a beggar (Sigmund & Hauert, 2002).
Altruism such as kindness acts of helping beggars in need forms the structure of the society, and when individuals apply the act, they build a healthy society where people learn from each other’s acts. The teachings of the social behavior figures prominently in the society as individuals are taught on the importance of upholding love and compassion in an effort of enhancing societal cohesion. Love and compassion wish that all being be free from suffering and live a happy life illustrating the importance of helping beggars who are in need of our help. These concepts are emphasized and taught religiously across different religious groups such as the Buddhist, Islams, and the Christians. Helping forms the center teaching of religion and is passed from one generation to another as individuals learn and are taught to be selfless (Meier, Schnall, Schwarz, & Bargh, 2012). When an individual helps a beggar in need, this acts as a motivation to others and they too are motivated to help the needy person as well.
Conclusion
Helping a beggar is a social behavior practice of concern for other people that individuals learn from each other that has been accepted in the society. The act of helping a beggar a social behavior is a traditional virtue in many cultures and is passed on from one particular generation to another. As they grow, children are able to learn the act from their elders and peers, and implicate similar deeds. Helping as an attitude is infectious. When individuals share and are concerned about another person’s welfare, others are inspired by the example and think about doing something kind to other people. According to the psychological egoism theory, there is no act of helping, sacrificing, sharing that can be considered as genuinely altruistic. This is because the actor may receive some intrinsic rewards that can be in the form of personal gratification but the validity of the argument depends on whether the rewards qualify as beneficial to them.
References
Batson, C. D., & Powell, A. A. (2003). Altruism and prosocial behavior. In Handbook of psychology: Personality and social psychology (pp. 463–484). doi:10.1002/0471264385.wei0519
Brañas-Garza, P., Cobo-Reyes, R., Espinosa, M. P., Jiménez, N., Kovářík, J., & Ponti, G. (2010). Altruism and social integration. Games and Economic Behavior, 69, 249–257. doi:10.1016/j.geb.2009.10.014
Meier, B. P., Schnall, S., Schwarz, N., & Bargh, J. A. (2012). Embodiment in Social Psychology. Topics in Cognitive Science, 4, 705–716. doi:10.1111/j.1756-8765.2012.01212.x
Sigmund, K., & Hauert, C. (2002). Altruism. Current Biology. doi:10.1016/S0960-9822(02)00797-2
Strack, F., & Deutsch, R. (2004). Reflective and impulsive determinants of social behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Review : An Official Journal of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc, 8, 220–247.
Wenseleers, T., & Ratnieks, F. L. W. (2006). Enforced altruism in insect societies. Nature, 444, 50. doi:10.1038/444050a
