Positive Altruism

In this taped webinar from the MAPP (Masters in Applied Positive Psychology) Alumni Association, positive psychology practitioner Anna Irani discusses altruism — a behavior motivated by the unselfish goal of helping others. She explains that positive altruism occurs when altruistic behavior increases the welfare of both the benefactor and beneficiary and discusses research that suggests that the source of altruism is empathy, which is an other-focused emotional response that is elicited by and congruent with the perceived welfare of another person. She also considers research that supports the link between altruistic behavior and increased health and well-being and explains how altruistic behavior can facilitate post-traumatic growth.