Pay_It_Forward_Paper

Pay It Forward Capstone Course in Psychology PSY 490 October 15, 2012 Stephanie J. Towns Pay It Forward The author had the pleasure of volunteering for a fall festival event at her son’s elementary school. Although volunteering was in part because the school could not find volunteers, and the need for assignment requirements, the author felt a sense of goodness and pleasure from the act. Because the author possessed some self-interest the act may be seen as egoism, or social responsibility (Clark, 2005). However, without volunteers the students would not have the opportunity to attend the family-fun event. The volunteers provide a benefit to the students and families without expecting social or material reward (Clark, 2005). The author regularly volunteers for the school events and will continue to provide her services where and when needed. Altruism, Personal, and Professional Social Responsibility, and Codependency Pure altruism is voluntary helping behavior, beneficial to someone else, and motivation derives from something other than a return of any type (Clark, 2005; Trivers, 1971). Altruistic acts are uncommon, and some will argue if they exist (Trivers, 1971). Personal and professional responsibilities are acts benefiting society (Clark, 2005). Through social responsibility individuals help those dependent upon society through a sense of moral obligation (Clark, 2005). Social responsibility is relatively common but often lacks authentic care (Clark, 2005). Codependency is behavior concerning individuals who help because of moral obligations to others as well as a personal inability to tolerate negative effects (Oakley, Knafo, Madhaven, & Wilson, 2011). Some view codependency as a form of pathological altruism, while others argue if it exists (Oakley, et. al., 2011). The author’s act of volunteerism at the school event arose from personal social responsibility; a moral obligation to help (Clark, 2005). Applying Altruism to Psychology or Psychological Principles Individuals in a psychology profession do not necessarily act through altruistic motivation although the psychological principles inspire the professionals to act in the best interest of those they help (Landrum & Davis, 2010). The psychological principles outline with good intentions an ethical guide for professionals that do not obligate but rather encourage ethical ideas and behavior (Plante, 2011). Although psychological principles closely align with altruistic behavior, most professionals possess motivation other than selfless helping, such as monetary gain, and reputation (Plante, 2011). Although professionals should apply altruism in psychology, altruistic acts are uncommon, and possibly may not exist (Trivers, 1971). Improving the Human Condition through Altruism Although the author’s act was not pure altruism, the act provided a sense of goodness knowing that more than 200 students and family members could enjoy an evening together because of the volunteers involved. Pure altruism is voluntary helping behavior, beneficial to someone else, and motivation derives from something other than a return of any type (Clark, 2005; Trivers, 1971). However, the nature of this altruistic behavior benefits the provider, and the receiver as well as promoting pay-it-forward behavior in others (Berkowitz & Daniels, 1964). Those who benefit from the help of others will find a sense of inspiration to do the same; through teaching and learning altruistic behavior the human condition improves (Berkowitz & Daniels, 1964). Personal, and Professional Responsibilities Related to Altruism Personal, and professional responsibilities are acts of capable individuals benefiting society (Clark, 2005). Through social responsibility individuals help those dependent upon society through a sense of moral obligation but oftentimes without altruistic thoughts (Clark, 2005). Although pure ultraistic behavior may not exist, an individual should promote this behavior to the best of his or her ability (Trivers, 1971). Professionals in psychology must uphold the Code of Conduct as well as follow the ethical principles in placing the patient as the primary regard, and above personal needs (Plante, 2011). As a personal, or professional responsibility, or through altruistic thoughts many psychology professionals will provide free or reduced services to the community (Plante, 2011) This form of altruism will serve those underrepresented, undeserved, and underprivileged without sacrifice to the high standards of clinical practice (Plante, 2011). The Future of Psychology in Contemporary Society Contemporary society depends upon the altruistic behaviors of the psychological profession. Through the psychological principles and the Code of Conduct psychological professionals find persuasion to perform in an altruistic manner; placing the needs of the patients above personal needs (Plante, 2011). Society looks toward these professionals for strength, guidance, and responsibility toward the welfare of human kind (Plante, 2011). Although pure altruism may not exist, personal, and professional social responsibility paves the way for altruistic behavior in society (Trivers, 1971; Clark, 2005). The future of psychology depends upon the current professionals providing heart-felt behaviors to society’s members through altruism, and personal, or professional social responsibility. Conclusion Although everyone is not capable of pure altruism if it even exists, social responsibility provides a very close resemblance to altruism (Clark, 2005; Trivers, 1971). The result of social responsibility is oftentimes just as good as altruism and can promote altruistic behavior (Clark, 2005). Although the author’s behavior in her volunteerism may not portray pure altruism, the result was positive. Through the volunteers for this school event the students and families enjoyed the benefit, while the volunteers did not expect any social or material reward (Clark, 2005). Whether altruism, or social responsibility the behavior is sure to promote further selfless acts of good within the society as well as a pay-it-forward attitude. References Berkowitz, L., & Daniels, L. R. (1964). Affecting the salience of the social responsibility norm: effects of past help on the response to dependency relationships. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 68(3), 275-281. doi: 10.1037/h0040164 Clark, D. (2005). Pro- and anti-social behavior. New York, NY: Routledge. Landrum, R. E. & Davis, S. F. (2010). The psychology major: Career options and strategies for success (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. Oakley, B., Knafo, A., Madhaven, G., & Wilson, D. S. (2011). Pathological altruism. Oxford University Press. Plante, T. G. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Trivers, R. L. (1971). The evolution of reciprocal altruism. The Quarterly Review of Biology, 46(1), 35. doi: 10.1086/406755