Why some people are more altruistic than others | Abigail Marsh

Summary

The speaker reflects on a life-changing experience where a stranger, resembling Idris Elba, saved their life after a car accident. This act of bravery sparked an exploration into human altruism, particularly the brain's role in compassion. Through research on psychopaths and extraordinary altruists—like kidney donors—the speaker uncovers how some individuals possess heightened empathy and larger amygdalas, enabling them to act selflessly, even for strangers. The talk emphasizes that altruism, though rare, is part of human nature and expanding compassion to others is attainable for many, as society continues to embrace these values.

Takeaways

• 😀 A man once saved the speaker's life by running across four lanes of freeway traffic, prompting a reflection on the nature of altruism and why some people risk their lives for strangers.
• 😀 The speaker, after being saved, became a psychology researcher to explore the roots of human altruism and compassion.
• 😀 Many people believe human nature is fundamentally selfish, but the existence of altruistic acts challenges this assumption.
• 😀 Altruism is defined as a voluntary, costly behavior motivated by the desire to help another individual, and this is exemplified by the stranger who saved the speaker.
• 😀 Compassion is a key driver of altruism, but some individuals display higher levels of it than others, leading to the question of why.
• 😀 The study of psychopaths, who lack compassion, reveals that they have difficulty recognizing fear and emotional distress, which might explain their lack of altruism.
• 😀 Psychopaths have underreactive amygdalas, the part of the brain responsible for recognizing fearful expressions, making them less attuned to the suffering of others.
• 😀 In contrast, people who engage in extreme altruism, such as kidney donors, have brains that are more attuned to others' emotions, with more reactive amygdalas and larger-than-average amygdala sizes.
• 😀 Extraordinary altruists, such as kidney donors, show greater compassion and are more likely to extend that compassion to complete strangers, beyond their inner circles.
• 😀 These altruists often view themselves as no different from others and describe their actions as simply being 'not about me,' suggesting a profound sense of humility and lack of self-centeredness.
• 😀 The speaker believes that the expansion of compassion and altruism is a growing trend, with societal shifts leading to greater acceptance of helping others, even at great personal cost, and that these changes will likely continue into the future.

Q & A

What inspired the speaker's research into altruism?

The speaker’s research into altruism was inspired by a personal experience when a stranger saved their life after a car accident. The stranger risked his own life to help the speaker, sparking the question of why people perform such selfless acts.

How did the speaker’s car accident happen?

The speaker was driving down the Interstate 5 freeway when a dog suddenly darted out in front of their car. In an attempt to avoid the dog, the speaker swerved, causing the car to fishtail, spin, and come to a stop in the fast lane facing oncoming traffic.

What defines altruism, according to the speaker?

Altruism is defined as a voluntary, costly behavior motivated by the desire to help another individual, without any expectation of personal benefit. The speaker highlights this selflessness through the example of a man who saved their life.

What role does compassion play in altruistic behavior?

Compassion is a key driver of altruism. People who engage in altruistic behaviors often do so because they feel empathy or compassion for others, especially when they recognize distress or fear in others.

How do psychopaths differ from altruistic individuals in terms of emotional response?

Psychopaths tend to be insensitive to the emotional distress of others, particularly failing to recognize fearful expressions. In contrast, altruistic individuals are more attuned to these signals and are driven by compassion to help others.

What findings did the research on psychopathy reveal about the brain’s response to emotional distress?

Research on psychopathy revealed that psychopaths have underactive amygdalas, the brain region responsible for recognizing fearful expressions. Their amygdalas are often smaller than average, making them less sensitive to signs of distress in others.

What brain characteristics do extraordinary altruists possess?

Extraordinary altruists, such as those who donate kidneys to strangers, have more reactive amygdalas and larger-than-average amygdalas. These traits may enhance their ability to recognize emotional distress and be more compassionate toward others.

Why is humility considered an important trait in extraordinary altruists?

Humility is essential in extraordinary altruists because they do not see themselves as the center of their social circle. They extend compassion to others, including complete strangers, without a sense of superiority, reflecting an unselfish worldview.

How does the speaker describe the societal trends in altruism over time?

The speaker notes that over the past century, as societies have become wealthier and more developed, the circle of compassion has expanded. Acts of altruism toward strangers, such as blood and kidney donations, have become more common, reflecting a broader societal acceptance of helping others.

What paradox does the speaker mention about the perception of the world today?

The speaker points out the paradox that, despite the world becoming more altruistic and humane, many people perceive it as more cruel. This may be due to increased awareness of global suffering, which heightens empathy but also amplifies feelings of distress.