NAME: NOSENZO TRACY
SURNAME: MABINDISA
STUDENT NUMBER: 11647213
MODULE: PYC4803 ASSIGNMENT 2
UNIQUE NUMBER: 753693
1|P ag e
,Table of contents
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 3
Theories of altruism........................................................................................................................... 3
Empathy-altruism .............................................................................................................................. 3
Emotional empathy............................................................................................................................ 4
Empathic accuracy ............................................................................................................................ 4
Empathic concern .............................................................................................................................. 6
Empathic joy ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Competitive altruism ......................................................................................................................... 7
Reciprocal altruism theory ............................................................................................................... 10
Defensive helping............................................................................................................................ 11
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 12
References....................................................................................................................................... 13
2|P ag e
, Introduction
According to Cardwell, Clark and Meldrum (2002), modern definitions of altruism state that
it can be a form of prosocial behaviour in which a person will voluntarily help another at
some cost to themselves. The main drive for altruistic behaviours can be seen as a desire to
improve the welfare of another person and not having any expectation of getting a reward or
have any other reason that may indicate some level of self-interest. Also termed “prosocial
behaviour”, the concept of altruism refers to actions by individuals that help others with no
immediate benefit to the helper and these actions are a very common part of social life. Many
factors play a role in determining whether, and to what extent some individuals will perform
prosocial acts (Baron & Branscombe, 2012). The purpose of this essay is to discuss the
theories of altruism behaviour of Nelson Mandela after his release from prison in 1990. No
doubt, this Nobel Peace Prize winner is counted amongst examples of altruistic people
alongside Mother Teresa. For the purpose of this essay, the extent to which Nelson Mandela
engaged in altruism and the motives underlying his tendency to help others will be linked to
the theories of altruism as outlined below according to Baron and Branscombe (2012):
Theories of altruism
Baron and Branscombe (2012) explore altruism by examining the following basic motives
amongst others behind helpful actions towards other:
Empathy-altruism
Several authors as cited by Baron & Branscombe (2012) define empathy-altruism as the
capacity to be able to experience other’s emotional states, feel sympathetic toward them and
take their perspective. Therefore, concept of feeling good to help others also referred to the
empathy altruism hypothesis suggests that at least some prosocial acts are motivated solely
by the desire to help someone. At the centre of this hypothesis, empathy contains three
different elements, namely: an emotional aspect – emotional empathy which involves sharing
the feelings and emotions of others; a cognitive component – which involves perceiving
other’s thoughts and feelings accurately (empathic accuracy); and lastly, empathic concern
which involves feelings of concern for another’s well-being. These three components are
3|P ag e
SURNAME: MABINDISA
STUDENT NUMBER: 11647213
MODULE: PYC4803 ASSIGNMENT 2
UNIQUE NUMBER: 753693
1|P ag e
,Table of contents
Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 3
Theories of altruism........................................................................................................................... 3
Empathy-altruism .............................................................................................................................. 3
Emotional empathy............................................................................................................................ 4
Empathic accuracy ............................................................................................................................ 4
Empathic concern .............................................................................................................................. 6
Empathic joy ..................................................................................................................................... 6
Competitive altruism ......................................................................................................................... 7
Reciprocal altruism theory ............................................................................................................... 10
Defensive helping............................................................................................................................ 11
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................... 12
References....................................................................................................................................... 13
2|P ag e
, Introduction
According to Cardwell, Clark and Meldrum (2002), modern definitions of altruism state that
it can be a form of prosocial behaviour in which a person will voluntarily help another at
some cost to themselves. The main drive for altruistic behaviours can be seen as a desire to
improve the welfare of another person and not having any expectation of getting a reward or
have any other reason that may indicate some level of self-interest. Also termed “prosocial
behaviour”, the concept of altruism refers to actions by individuals that help others with no
immediate benefit to the helper and these actions are a very common part of social life. Many
factors play a role in determining whether, and to what extent some individuals will perform
prosocial acts (Baron & Branscombe, 2012). The purpose of this essay is to discuss the
theories of altruism behaviour of Nelson Mandela after his release from prison in 1990. No
doubt, this Nobel Peace Prize winner is counted amongst examples of altruistic people
alongside Mother Teresa. For the purpose of this essay, the extent to which Nelson Mandela
engaged in altruism and the motives underlying his tendency to help others will be linked to
the theories of altruism as outlined below according to Baron and Branscombe (2012):
Theories of altruism
Baron and Branscombe (2012) explore altruism by examining the following basic motives
amongst others behind helpful actions towards other:
Empathy-altruism
Several authors as cited by Baron & Branscombe (2012) define empathy-altruism as the
capacity to be able to experience other’s emotional states, feel sympathetic toward them and
take their perspective. Therefore, concept of feeling good to help others also referred to the
empathy altruism hypothesis suggests that at least some prosocial acts are motivated solely
by the desire to help someone. At the centre of this hypothesis, empathy contains three
different elements, namely: an emotional aspect – emotional empathy which involves sharing
the feelings and emotions of others; a cognitive component – which involves perceiving
other’s thoughts and feelings accurately (empathic accuracy); and lastly, empathic concern
which involves feelings of concern for another’s well-being. These three components are
3|P ag e
