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Related Experiment Videos

Normal and pathological altruism.

B J Seelig1, L S Rosof

  • 1Psychoanalytic Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30306, USA. Bseelig@learnlink.emory.edu

Journal of the American Psychoanalytic Association
|October 27, 2001
PubMed
Summary
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This study reexamines psychoanalytic altruism, proposing a normal form and five types: protoaltruism, generative altruism, conflicted altruism, pseudoaltruism, and psychotic altruism. It distinguishes healthy altruism from neurotic motivations.

Area of Science:

  • Psychoanalytic theory
  • Psychology
  • Behavioral science

Background:

  • Psychoanalytic literature on altruism is limited compared to sociobiology.
  • Freud introduced narcissism and ego psychology concepts.
  • Anna Freud defined "altruistic surrender" as neurotic behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Reexamine psychoanalytic understanding of altruism.
  • Expand the concept to include a normal, non-pathological form.
  • Categorize altruism into five distinct types.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of psychoanalytic concepts of altruism.
  • Conceptual analysis and redefinition of altruism.
  • Clinical case illustrations.

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Main Results:

  • Proposed five types of altruism: protoaltruism, generative altruism, conflicted altruism, pseudoaltruism, and psychotic altruism.
  • Distinguished normal altruism from pathological forms.
  • Reinterpreted "altruistic surrender" as a mix of conflicted and pseudoaltruism.

Conclusions:

  • Psychoanalytic altruism can be understood beyond masochistic underpinnings.
  • A spectrum of altruism exists, from biologically rooted to psychotic manifestations.
  • Clinical utility in differentiating types of altruistic behavior.