Editing Altruism (section)

==The notion of altruism ==
The concept of altruism has a history in [[Philosophy|philosophical]] and [[Ethics|ethical]] thought. The term was coined in the 19th century by the founding [[sociologist]] and [[philosopher of science]] [[Auguste Comte]], and has become a major topic for [[psychologists]] (especially [[evolutionary psychology]] researchers), [[evolutionary biologists]], and [[ethology|ethologists]]. Whilst ideas about altruism from one field can affect the other fields, the different methods and focuses of these fields always lead to different perspectives on altruism. In simple terms, altruism is caring about the welfare of other people and acting to help them, above oneself.

===Cross-cultural perspectives on altruism===
Cross-cultural perspectives on altruism show that how we view and experience helping others depends heavily on where we come from. In individualistic cultures, like many Western countries, acts of altruism often bring personal joy and satisfaction, as they align with values that emphasize individual achievement and self-fulfillment. On the other hand, in collectivist cultures, common in many Eastern societies, altruism is often seen as a responsibility to the group rather than a personal choice. This difference means that people in collectivist cultures might not feel the same personal happiness from helping others, as the act is more about fulfilling social obligations. Ultimately, these variations highlight how deeply cultural norms shape the way we approach and experience altruism.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Weiss-Sidi |first1=Merav |last2=Riemer |first2=Hila |date=23 June 2023 |title=Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures |journal=Frontiers in Psychology |language=English |volume=14 |doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156661 |doi-access=free |pmid=37425146 |pmc=10326385 |issn=1664-1078}}</ref>