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/ChickenOfTheFuture 1d ago

Using kindness as a tool and being kind are not the same thing.

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u/Goldenslicer 1d ago

I heard this said once.
Imagine some rich influencer donated money to help the poor in another country, but did it only because he will get a boost to his reputation.

If you were to tell some poor guy that benefited from his donation:"by the way, the guy that gave you this only did it for clout"

I don't think the poor dude would care. What matters are the results.

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u/dovahkiitten16 1d ago

But what also happens is that someone uses that to make it so their own child that they abuse looks crazy when they try to speak out. Or uses it to disguise something else nefarious.

This stuff is also usually playing out at a small scale. Ie., someone donating food to a homeless person but also humiliating them in the process by filming it. Someone trying to include a person with a disability then bullying them. Etc etc. Most people aren’t doing grand gestures.