Psychologists at Georgetown University conducted a study to understand what drives people who perform extreme acts of altruism, such as organ and bone marrow donation, lifeguarding, and voluntary rescue work. The research, published in Nature Communications, explored whether these individuals act with expectations of reward or recognition, or if they operate from a different moral basis altogether.
A large group of more than 300 extreme altruists participated in a battery of personality assessments. The sample included donors who gave kidneys, livers, bone marrow, and hematopoietic stem cells to strangers, as well as humanitarian workers and volunteers involved in high-stakes rescue missions. The investigators sought to determine whether these selfless acts align with common stereotypes about generous people or reveal a distinct psychological profile.
The findings suggest that altruists are exceptionally generous and that their actions often stem from a deep concern for the welfare of others rather than a desire for personal gain. In other dimensions, however, they resembled the general population. They did not necessarily display higher levels of kindness, conscientiousness, or compassion compared with most adults. Instead, the core trait appeared to be a pronounced respect for the well-being of others far beyond their own circle, coupled with a notably low sense of self-importance. There was no inclination to manipulate or harm others for personal advantage.
These results challenge the idea that human behavior is predominantly driven by self-interest. While ego-driven motives for helping do exist, such as seeking rewards or enhancing one’s reputation, the data indicate that genuinely self-sacrificing actions can occur in real life, especially in extreme situations. The research points to a complex blend of motives, suggesting that acts of extreme altruism can emerge from a genuine, other-focused orientation rather than from self-serving intentions.