Research article summary (published 30 Aug 1991):

The altruistic personality: in what contexts is it apparent?

Full Abstract

Hypotheses concerning the specific contexts in which an altruistic personality might be most apparent were investigated. College students completed questionnaires tapping components of an altruistic personality, emotionality, and social desirability. At a 2nd session, the emotional evocativeness and ease of escape from the helping situation were experimentally manipulated. Ss were exposed to a distressed woman, completed state sympathy and personal distress indexes, and were given an opportunity to assist the woman. High scorers on dispositional altruism were expected to assist most when escape was easy, particularly when the distress cues were obvious. Altruistic and emotionally reactive persons were also expected to help most in a psychologically "weak" environment. Both predictions were supported. The relations between helping and the other predictors were also examined.

Author information

Author/s: Carlo, G (G); Eisenberg, N (N); Troyer, D (D); Switzer, G (G); Speer, A L (AL);

Affiliation: Arizona State University, Tempe 85287.

Grants: K04-HD000717 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of personality and social psychology (J Pers Soc Psychol), published in UNITED STATES. (Language: eng)

Reference: 1991-Sep; vol 61 (issue 3) : pp 450-8

Dates: Created 1991/12/06; Completed 1991/12/06; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 1941516, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult Altruism Female Helping Behavior Humans

Humans Male Motivation Personality Development Social Desirability Social Environment

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