利他行为的积极效应

Positive Effects of Altruistic Behavior

利他行为具有“损己利人”的特点,相较于自利者而言常处于不利地位。利他行为能进化至今的原因一直困扰着各个领域的学者,本文从心理、生理机制两方面回顾了利他行为对助人者的内部效用增益,包括缓解助人者的消极情感如压力、疼痛感等,提高积极情感如幸福感,并改善助人者的生理健康,为利他行为的进化提供部分证据。在此基础上,总结已有研究不足并为未来研究指明方向。

Altruistic behavior has the characteristics of “harm oneself to benefit others”, and is often at a disadvantage compared to self-interested behavior. The reason that altruistic behavior can evolve so far has troubled scholars in various fields. This article reviews the internal utility gains of altruistic behavior to helpers from both psychological and physiological mechanisms, including alleviating the negative feelings of helpers such as stress, pain, etc., and improving positive feelings such as happiness, and improving the physical health of helpers. This might provide some pieces of evidence for the evolution of altruistic behavior. On this basis, it summarizes the existing research deficiencies and points out the direction for future research.