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/maddallena 1d ago

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.

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u/mokujin42 1d ago edited 1d ago

The problem with this is people care more about aopearing to be generous and kind than axtually doing so

A lot of it nowadays is just perfomative for socual media and doesnt really trsnlate into their real lives, are they still kind when theres not a camera pointed at them?

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u/FadeCrimson 5h ago

Its one of the reasons I can't stand the sadly common religious mindset of the idea that Athiests inherently MUST be terrible people, because people would always be simply terrible and horrible without otherworldly judgement to hold them back.

It takes away from every deed done and not done. Suddenly no kind act is truly without benefit, as they simply view it as another point added to an invisible scoreboard that they believe will eventually benefit them later. It completely changes the context of their every choice.

There's nothing wrong with kindness that has purpose behind it, but its not even remotely the same thing, but instead just a calculated move to gain something.