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Blog - Altruism Shmaltruism

April 15, 2010

Is there such a thing as a truly unselfish act? Often, I hear people talk about how volunteerism is a selfless act of altruism. I don’t buy it.

Have you ever seen the Friends episode where Phoebe and Joey have a contest to find a truly selfless act? It turns out Phoebe loses. There is no such thing as altruism. When she let a bee sting her, the bee died soon after. When she pledged $200 during a telethon where Joey was taking calls, he ended up being on camera and it helped his fledgling acting career. It made her feel good, thereby ruining her selfless act.

It turns out that science supports this too. I just came across a 2006 study that focused on anonymous charitable donations – a pretty specific act of intended altruism. Volunteers were given money and told they could either keep the money or give it to charity. The researchers found out that “giving the money activated the same reward centre in the brain that was activated when the participants received the money”. source: “Human fronto-mesolimbic networks guide decisions about charitable donation” Moll, et al.

Now I’m not a sociologist or an anthropologist. I’m pretty sure I’m not an ologist of any kind. (Although my mom thinks I’m pretty smart.) But it seems to me science (one study, anyway) has proven a theory that I’ve maintained my entire life in volunteerism. Altruism doesn’t exist.

Just because I’m the one typing doesn’t mean you don’t get to argue with me. (Seriously, it’s why blogs exist. Comments welcome below!) But my theory is that everyone gets something out of volunteering. Whether it’s gaining experience, meeting new people, getting a cool t-shirt or a plaque, or just a sense of feeling good, you’re getting something out of it.

So what are nonprofits offering? Are we designing positions that offer what people are looking for? Can our positions be modified depending on the person that comes through the door? Or do we say “Meh. We don’t have anything for you.” Nonprofits need to work with whoever comes through the door. Everyone has the potential to help. I’m not saying there’s always a fit. But is everyone always given a chance?

We need to think about the positions we’re offering to the personnel we don’t pay with money. We’re about to launch into National Volunteer Week. I get that parties and cakes and plaques and pins can be great. But the best recognition is offering what people really want. A valuable and rewarding volunteer opportunity.

Altruism doesn’t exist. And it never will.

Posted by: Scott | In: IVC

What others are saying

  • Good point Scott!

    I wrote about this exact topic on my blog under the title “Member Relations in an Apathetic Age” (blatant plug!).

    If an organisation can tap into motivation, they will uncover a vast reservoir of talent, skills and energy. If an organisation ignores motivation, they will experience the head against a brick wall syndrome.

    from Carla on April 15, 2010

  • I would agree to a point that there is no truly “selfless” act. However I believe that altruism can be measured by the extent of what the “giver” requires in return. Many people are completely satisfied with the “feel good” sensation they derive from doing something for someone else. Therefore whether it be a kind word to someone that is having a bad day or voluneering in support of a good cause the acts of these people can be deemed as “selfless” as one can get.

    from Anna Attademo on April 16, 2010

  • I have to disagree! There are people from time to time who take nothing out of the experience of volunteering: no t-shirt, no career advancement, no warm fuzzy even! They are thereafter know to those in the sector as “non-volunteers.”

    from Sheralyn on April 20, 2010

  • I’ve been volunteering since I was a child and I am now retired – not from community but from paid work (at least in the traditional sense of paid work).The best experiences I’ve had are those where I have been deliberate and intentional about why I chose the opportunities that were presented to me or that I went looking for. I have been a long term advocate for “vested interest volunteering” as I believe passion for what you are doing – for whatever reason – makes for a positive and productive exchange.

    from Martha Parker on April 20, 2010

  • there’s a quote I love from the theologian, Fred Buechner – “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” – just to add some theo to your other ologies.

    from Eileen on April 28, 2010

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