Aromatherapy Essay, Research Paper

ARE WOMEN MORE ALTRUISTIC THEN MEN?

Darwin ( 1859, cited in Gross, 1988 ) in his book on the Origin of Species ( 1859 ) stated species evolved through the procedure of natural choice in which merely the fittest survive. This implies selfish behavior. However, some species do demo selflessness ( e.g. , rabbits slaming on the land to alarm others of danger ) . Altruism has been defined as assisting person in demand with no outlook of having something in return. Worlds besides show selflessness but psychologists have questioned is it genuinely selflessness that motivates us to assist others or do we have some wages in return.

The exchange theory ( 1959, cited in Deaux and Wrightsman, 1980 ) states people display selfless behavior to experience good or derive societal blessing. This theory besides states the higher the wagess the more likely selfless behavior will be engaged in. Wagess can be either intrinsic such as congratulations or extrinsic such as complacency. Many factors have been studied to see if they affect whether or non we display more or less selfless behavior. Such factors include gender of individual necessitating the aid and of the individual offering it, type of state of affairs, age, race and physical conditions ( such as type of conditions or country petition for aid is asked, busy or quiet )

.

Colaizzi, Williams and Kayson ( 1984, cited in ) investigated whether sex differences existed in selflessness. Both males and females phoned random Numberss from the phone book and explained their auto would non get down and asked the topic if they could peal a figure for them as they had no alteration. The clip taken for the topic to name was recorded. It was found that adult females were helped more so work forces. Brown-Kruse and Hummels ( 1993, cited in ) found in public goods games males displayed more selfless behavior, Nowell and Tinker ( 1991, cited in ) nevertheless found the antonym. It was besides noted that work forces were more utmost, they would be more likely to be highly selfish or highly altruistic. Womans nevertheless were more likely to portion equally.

Latane and Darley ( 1970, cited in Gross, 1988 ) studied & # 8220 ; low cost & # 8221 ; selflessness such as giving the clip or waies. The survey was carried out by psychological science pupils who asked 1500 passerby in New York some low cost petitions. They concluded that depending on the petition between 34 and 85 per centum of the passer-by displayed helpful behavior. This survey investigates the low cost of giving alteration and gender. The experimental hypothesis is females will demo more selfless behavior compared to work forces. The void hypothesis is there will be no difference in gender and selfless behavior.