In Chapter 15 of your textbook, read about altruism and factors that contribute to why we help others. Then, plan at least three acts of kindness (helping behaviors) that you will direct toward others. (Push yourself and go beyond common courtesies such as holding the door.)
First, could you briefly relate what you learned from reading about why and when people tend to help others? (Your text discusses three theories.)
Then, could you discuss the activity? Could you describe how you chose to help others? Why did you choose these?
Describe how you felt before, during, and after the act.
What were the reactions of the people you helped?
Which of the three theories used to explain altruism do you think fits best with your random acts? Explain.
You are expected to incorporate your reading assignment, use in-text citations, and have corresponding total citations listed on a References Page.
Text book for class is Title: Real World Psychology Inclusive Only Loose-Leaf Print Upgrade
Edition: 3
Author: Sanderson and Huffman
ISBN: 9781119773337
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Exploring Altruism: The Psychology of Helping Others
Altruism, the selfless concern and actions for the well-being of others, has long been a topic of interest in psychology. Understanding why and when people tend to help others has been a subject of research and debate. In Chapter 15 of “Real World Psychology” by Sanderson and Huffman, three main theories are discussed to explain the motivations behind altruistic behaviors.
Theories Explained in the Textbook
The first theory discussed in the textbook is the social exchange theory. According to this theory, people engage in helping behaviors when the benefits outweigh the costs. Individuals weigh the potential rewards of helping against the possible risks or sacrifices involved.
The second theory is the empathy-altruism hypothesis. This theory posits that people are more likely to help others when they feel empathy towards them. The emotional response of empathy triggers altruistic behavior, leading individuals to assist others purely out of a desire to alleviate their suffering.
The third theory highlighted is evolutionary psychology. This perspective suggests that altruistic behaviors have evolved as a result of natural selection. Individuals may help others because such behaviors could have conferred survival advantages to our ancestors, ultimately benefiting the group as a whole.
Acts of Kindness: A Personal Exploration
In line with the teachings of altruism from the textbook, I chose to engage in three acts of kindness that go beyond common courtesies. Firstly, I volunteered at a local homeless shelter, serving meals and engaging in conversations with the residents. Secondly, I assisted an elderly neighbor with grocery shopping and household chores. Lastly, I donated clothes and essential items to a charity organization supporting underprivileged families in my community.
Before embarking on these acts of kindness, I felt a sense of anticipation and nervousness. However, as I immersed myself in helping others, I experienced a profound sense of fulfillment and connection. During the acts, I was motivated by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.
The reactions of the people I helped varied but were overwhelmingly positive. The residents at the homeless shelter expressed gratitude for the companionship and support provided. My elderly neighbor was deeply appreciative of the assistance, mentioning how it made her daily tasks much easier. The charity organization thanked me for the donations, highlighting the difference it would make in the lives of disadvantaged families.
Theory Application and Reflection
Reflecting on my acts of kindness, I believe that the empathy-altruism hypothesis resonates most strongly with my experiences. The genuine empathy I felt towards those I helped served as a driving force behind my actions. Witnessing the impact of my assistance and the positive reactions from those I helped reinforced my belief in the power of empathy to inspire altruistic behaviors.
In conclusion, engaging in acts of kindness not only benefits others but also fosters a sense of fulfillment and connection within oneself. By embodying the principles of altruism and empathy, we can create a ripple effect of positivity and compassion in our communities.
References
Sanderson, C., & Huffman, K. (Year). Real World Psychology: Inclusive Only Loose-Leaf Print Upgrade (3rd ed.). Publisher.
