is this always the case? that we have incorporated this mentality into our heads through evolutionary psychology? but what about altruistic behaviours? are there no more people showing altruism in this world anymore?
according to Vaughan and Hogg (2005), altruism is a special form of helping behaviour, sometimes costly, that shows concern to for fellow human beings and is performed without expectation of personal gains.
do we still see this kind of behaviour around? do we even believe that there is this kind of people able to do something so self-sacrificial for other people? sometimes we can justify the person's altruistic behaviour by saying it for a good friend, family member or a loved one, but does everyone action have to be explained by a reason? can't people do things out of love for others?
sometimes when we see people doing such things, we'll scold or comment that the person is being stupid and that his or her actions have no meaning in it. must there be a good reason for all your actions? we're living in a world where all your actions have to be explained by reasons, if not people will judge you and criticise you. is this the reason why we're seeing lesser and lesser people behaving altruistically? is it even wrong to do something good without expecting and returns at all?
some of the altruistic behaviours are being see as a norm in the current society. actions like giving up your seat to an elderly, helping a pregnant woman carry her heavy stuff, keeping the door open for someone. these are some behaviours that we do not require any form of returns at all. and so, why is it that when we do such things, people say its alright, its ok. but when we do something in a slightly bigger scale, people's perception changes? isn't it the same form as helping? or do people think that the effort in helping have no justification, and thus does not help at all? and how do we justify whether our actions are worth it? i feel that all these boils down to the society, culture and environment we live in. if we're primed to do good for others without asking for any returns, we'll most likely to show help to others. but if we're brought up in a environment high in evolutionary psychology, we'll be selfish and only look out for ourselves.
Wonder whether will there be a day when no one bothers helping anyone anymore. it would be a cold and lonely world then.
2 comments:
i think the day is coming, soon enough. social situations are becoming from bad to worse.
anti-social behaviour is normalised in singapore, so much so that, it becomes part of daily habits. just look around you.
people abusing the stupid speaker things on their handphones to play atrocious music which they deem fit for everyone else, is just ONE example amongst many others.
as sad as it seems, people are losing the compassion for anything and anyone these days. its just a matter of time.
man, i sound like a total hardcore cynic. maybe its just the weather. haha
-rathi
I do wonder why do people do that? Playing the music on their loudspeaker phone. Even if it's the hottest song in town, sometimes i really do feel like grabbing the phone and slamming it into smittereens. haha. I think the people around me will no doubt thank me silently for that gracious action. haha
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