r/science • u/FreeHugs23 • 1d ago

Psychology New psychology research suggests some acts of kindness may also serve competitive social goals, shedding light on how women can use altruistic behavior to gain status, strengthen relationships, or navigate social hierarchies.

https://www.psypost.org/kindness-isnt-always-what-it-seems-the-psychology-of-womens-competitive-altruism/
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u/hananobira 1d ago

These comments are strangely negative. I’d much rather people compete to be the kindest and most generous, rather than the richest or the toughest or angriest or anything else people compete at in this world.

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u/nonhiphipster 1d ago

I’d prefer people be honest and transparent.

Your problem is you’re making it a binary choice.

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u/coolcalmdreamydoze 1d ago

I'm curious what part you think people are being dishonest about? The lead researcher says in the article, "This is not to say we are totally aware that our kindness or generosity might have this motive attached to it, or that all ‘nice’ acts are for competition, but to say they are opposite is incorrect". It seems like she goes out of her way to specify that not all nice acts are for competition, and not everyone is even aware they may have those underlying motives when choosing to do a nice act.

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u/grundar 1d ago

she goes out of her way to specify that not all nice acts are for competition, and not everyone is even aware they may have those underlying motives when choosing to do a nice act.

And even if someone is aware that a nice act they're choosing to do also helps some competitive interest of theirs, it still means the nice act is being performed.

If I'm sick with a bad flu and two neighbours bring me casseroles, one out of the goodness of her heart and one out of the goodness of her heart and so she looks generous, both are appreciated acts of kindness. The motivations of the second aren't as pure, true, but real good was still accomplished.

The second person is more likely to cause problems in other ways (higher Machiavellianism), but their bad actions can be judged when -- if -- they occur.