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Internal mechanisms that implicate the self enlighten the egoism-altruism debate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2003

Constantine Sedikides
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, England, United Kingdomcs2@soton.ac.uk
Aiden P. Gregg
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, England, United Kingdomcs2@soton.ac.uk

Abstract

Internal mechanisms, especially those implicating the self, are crucial for the egoism-altruism debate. Self-liking is extended to close others and can be extended, through socialization and reinforcement experiences, to non-close others: Altruistic responses are directed toward others who are included in the self. The process of self-extension can account for cross-situational variability, contextual variability, and individual differences in altruistic behavior.

Type
Brief Report
Copyright
© 2002 Cambridge University Press

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