Q: Does Altruism Really Exist among us and more specificity among adolescents?

Do we really care about others, what happens to them, how they feel, and whether life is positive for them? Or do we always have ourselves as the target of our concern? Do we help others for their sake, or only for our own? A terminal value occurs if we value others for their own sake. An instrumental value takes place if we value others because it is to our advantage to do so. Which is truer of human nature? Some psychologists seem to believe that altruism, valuing and pursuing another person's welfare as a goal, is a fantasy. These psychologists such as William James see humans as social egoists.

• Suggested reading:

Batson, C. D., "How Social an Animal? The Human Capacity for Caring," American Psychologist, 45, 1990, pp. 336-346.