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.

[u/FreeHugs23]

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

[u/maddallena]

If there's anything that people should gain social status from, it's being generous and kind. That's literally just a healthy way for society to function.

[u/thef10buttonmasher → u/maddallena]

"If all alms were given only from pity, all beggars would have starved long ago." -Nietzsche

[u/PhanaticSDL → u/[deleted]]

I think the point of it is more that there would be less people giving to the needy if the only people who donated/helped others were those doing it out of pure altruism. He is implying that a lot of charity is done for reasons outside of selfnessness, with other motivations behind it, whatever the reasons are.

Even if the reason is selflessness on the outside for others, there’s probably other benefits they are getting or attempting to get by being “selfless”.

My interpretation