A life history study of social psychological and structural determinants of extraordinary altruistic behavior
Abstract
Extraordinary altruistic behavior has the following characteristics: it is exceptionally helpful to others; it is voluntary and enacted without expectation of reward; it expresses love for all humanity; it entails nontrivial self-sacrifice; and it involves a conscious decision to devote the remainder of one's life to helping others. Two types of extraordinary altruists are the Direct Helper and the Social Movement Leader. Direct Helpers help the needy by providing direct assistance. Social Movement Leaders help by leading nonviolent collective movements against structural inequality and injustice. Research is needed that identifies social structural and social psychological determinants of these two forms of extraordinary altruistic behavior. This study was guided by a theoretical model constructed out of existing sociological knowledge. It posits that certain social factors promote extraordinary altruistic behavior. The two macro variables in the model concern social climate (the degree of structural inequality and conflict) and social status (structural position). The micro variables relate to aspects of socialization (parental influence, education, role models), personal interactions, experiences, self-esteem, beliefs, role, social network, and behavioral opportunity. Comparative analysis of the lives of two Direct Helpers (Albert Schweitzer and Thomas Dooley) and two Social Movement Leaders (Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi) was used to test the theory. Two sources of data were relied upon. Life-history documents (biographies, autobiographies, personal documents) were analyzed to understand the lives of the subjects. Secondary historical works were examined to understand the subjects' larger social environments. The findings generally support the variables in the model. Particularly strong are the variables concerning status, parental influence, experiences, self-esteem, role, and behavioral opportunity. The findings rejected hypotheses about Movement Leader social climate; Direct Helper personal interactions and social network; and Movement Leader and Direct Helper role model.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Davidson, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Sociology
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