


The concept gained prominence in the twentieth century when the biologist George Williams proposed that altruism could be explained by natural selection. The concept of altruism has its roots in the nineteenth century, when the French philosopher Auguste Comte introduced the term “altruism” to describe the moral ideal of selflessness and devotion to others. Historical Development of Altruism Theory For example, in many cultures, it is considered a moral obligation to help those in need, which can motivate individuals to engage in altruistic behavior. Sociologists have also studied altruism theory, focusing on how social norms and cultural values influence people’s behavior towards others.

This theory suggests that people are more likely to help others if they believe that their actions will be rewarded in some way, either by receiving social recognition or by gaining a sense of personal satisfaction from their actions.

In psychology, altruism is often studied in the context of social exchange theory, which proposes that individuals engage in altruistic behavior to gain social approval or reciprocity from others. This explains why many animals engage in selfless behavior towards their offspring, siblings, and close relatives. In biology, altruism theory is rooted in the concept of kin selection, which proposes that individuals will help others who share their genetic makeup, as this increases the chances of their genes being passed on to future generations. The concept of altruism has since been studied in various fields, including biology, psychology, and sociology, with each discipline offering different perspectives on the nature and origins of altruistic behavior. This theory has been extensively studied in psychology, sociology, and biology, with researchers trying to understand why people engage in altruistic behavior, and how it affects their lives and the lives of those around them. Altruism theory is the study of selfless behavior and how individuals prioritize the well-being of others over their own self-interest.
