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Altruism vs Reciprocity - What's the difference?

altruism | reciprocity |

As nouns the difference between altruism and reciprocity

is that altruism is regard for others, both natural and moral without regard for oneself; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; selflessness; contrasted with egoism or selfishness while reciprocity is the characteristic of being reciprocal, eg of a relationship between people.

altruism

English

(wikipedia altruism)

Noun

(en noun)
  • Regard for others, both natural and moral without regard for oneself; devotion to the interests of others; brotherly kindness; selflessness; contrasted with egoism or selfishness .
  • *, chapter=16
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=The preposterous altruism too!
  • * 1995 , George E. Vaillant, The Wisdom of the Ego , page 68,
    • Altruism' allows doing for others as one would be done by. Unlike reaction formation, which also gives to the object what the self desires, '''altruism''' leaves the self at least partly gratified. Unlike reaction formation, '''altruism''' tempers asceticism with pleasure. Unlike passive aggression and martyrdom, '''altruism''' allows the object to feel blessed and not afflicted. ' Altruism attracts people to the user; martyrdom repels them even as it holds them close in chains.
  • (biology, sociobiology) Action or behaviour that benefits another or others at some cost to the performer.
  • * 2013 December 24, Laura Spinney, Goodwill hunting: Random ants of kindness'', ''(New Scientist) ,
    • Altruism' is a behaviour of an individual that benefits another at its own expense.Being nice to relatives is not pure ' altruism because they share your genes so, by helping them, you promote your own genetic heritage.

    Synonyms

    * (regard for others) philanthropy * (action benefiting others at cost to oneself) philanthropy

    Antonyms

    * (regard for others) egoism, misanthropy (hatred of human race), selfishness

    Related terms

    * altruist * altruistic

    See also

    * agape (spiritual love for others) * bell the cat * brotherly love * misandry (hatred of males) * misogyny (hatred of females) * selflessness

    External links

    * *

    References

    Anagrams

    * * English words suffixed with -ism ----

    reciprocity

    English

    Noun

    (reciprocity)
  • The characteristic of being reciprocal, e.g. of a relationship between people.
    • In a friendship, reciprocity occurs where the contribution of each party meets the expectations of the other party.
  • A reciprocal relationship.
  • A relation of mutual dependence or action or influence.
  • The mutual exchange of rights, privileges or obligations between nations.
  • (psychology) The responses of individuals to the actions of others.