Question

Primatologists are interested in the topic of altruism in order to determine where the human behavior arises. Altruism is defined as actions that benefit another individual but at some potential risk or cost to oneself. The act of ‘doing a good deed’ for others in humans counts as altruism, because there is some level of sacrifice in effort or resources from the individual that helps the other. Scientists argue that there are ulterior motives on the part of primates that they study. The good deed will be returned at a later date. We can test the importance of altruism among humans with this small science project.

Goal: Assess the degree of altruism among humans. Does it is exist? Method: Groom someone or do something altruistic to help someone who you will see in the near future for several days. Then assess whether they feel compelled to return the favor. For example, you may actually groom someone by pretending to pick something off of their clothes or buying them coffee. Then put them in the same but opposite situation later on. You could leave something on your clothes to see if they pick it off. You can try other forms of social grooming such as complementing someone as well. Will they return the favor later on? Try to devise new and original ways to test this idea of altruism through grooming.

Write up: Does this act bring you closer? What does it say about the grooming among humans? Is this evidence that it was selected for as a behavioral trait? Also try to explain WHY it came about as a behavioral trait (or WHY it didn’t if the data comes out negative).

Answer 1

altruism as defined above is an act which benefits other people and harm oneself. it is thought that psychological altruism has 4 basic reasons and can hence be divided into 4 type-

1. egoism- to benefit self
2. selfless altruism- to benefit other person
3. collectivism- to benefit a group
4. principlism- to uphold a moral principle

selfless altruism is also known as empathy altruism. teh empathey altruism theory suggests that altruism doesnt occur by itself but by the empathetic desire after seeing someone in trouble. this happens as it reduces personal distress after helping the other person and hence is beneficial for ourselves somehow. it is high in toddlers that is poeple aged 2 years but relatively low in other people as they grow specially till the middle age. but it does occur in human beings although with the thought of providing postivity to self. also if you help someone they are likely to go out of the way to help you just to return the fvaour.

( note for the reader- kindly conduct the experimental study and add its results also )

showing altruism does bring people close. it strengthens teh relationship because of happiness which helps in providding emotional support, reduction in negativity and increasing positive thoughts, and in the well being of the person. it goes as a virtous cycle of altruis which says if we do good for others we also feel good.

this effects the grooming of human being aas they would try to keep tehreviewws in mind and try to maintain or improve it according ( give example from the experiment) eg- if i clean someones bclothes they will be careful while eating from the next time and would even try to check themselves in the mirror after eating to make sure all is well. it came out as behavioral trait as our experiences effect the degree of altruism we show which is reflected in our behavior and the rewards in form of self happiness, decrease in distress and possible future help reinforces the behavior and strengthens it.