Question

PART A: Which statement identifies the central idea of the text?

A. Behaving in a truly altruistic manner is an important part of being human; the
reasons why people do it are less important.
B. Psychologists are unable to agree if true altruism exists, but they believe several
factors could be encouraging people to act in seemingly selfless ways.
C. Psychologists have determined that true altruism doesn’t exist because humans
are compelled to always put themselves first.
D. Behaviors should be discussed in terms of their prosocial nature because
psychologists still don’t fully understand the nature of altruism.

Answer 1

In the article Altruism: Why We Risk Our Own Well-Being to Help Others by Kendra Cherry, the writer  examines the different explanation as to why people behave in unselfish ways

Answer: B. Psychologists are unable to agree if true altruism exists, but they believe several factors could be encouraging people to act in seemingly selfless ways.

Explanation:

• As per the text the writer says the underlying factors of altruism was strongly debated by social psychologists as well as the issue of whether it actually occurs such as "true" Altruism. Have we really supported someone for sincerely altruistic purposes or was our altruistic acts driven by hidden benefits?
• Many social psychologists claim, though for personal motives, individuals are sometimes altruistic, true altruism is possible. Some have argued, though, that empathy for others is mostly driven by a willingness to help yourself. Whatever the motives behind it, without altruism our planet is a much sadder place