“Altruism is that ability to give simply because I want to give and not because I am expecting anything in return,” said the Dr. Lucía Crivelli, neuropsychologistby analyzing how altruistic gestures not only have a positive impact on those who receive them, but also cause a deep satisfaction and well-being in those who perform them.
The specialist highlighted, in dialogue with Infobae Livethat “helping others activates gratification mechanisms in our brain that have neurobiological support: one feels better and happier after doing goodFor the professional, “altruism can be trained and has positive effects on an individual and social level.”
These statements were made in dialogue with Infobae Liveduring the program a.m.which is led by Gonzalo Sánchez, Maru Duffard, Ramón Indart and Cecilia Boufflet.
In this context, Crivelli He referred to the importance of altruistic acts, their neurobiological foundation and how those who help, even in the smallest gestures, experience a internal transformation and greater emotional well-being. “They are more frequent actions than is believed, daily gestures that ignite circuits of empathy and well-being,” highlighted the expert.
In dialogue with Infobae Livein the morning program, Crivelli He explained that altruism is a human quality that is expressed every day in the simplest actions, such as letting someone pass in line at the supermarket, helping someone who had a car problem or donating time and resources to community causes. “No matter the grandeur of the gesture“, he pointed out, “the essential thing is that it be disinterestedwithout seeking a material or symbolic return. “That purity of motivation distinguishes true altruism.”
From neurobiology, the specialist founded that “the fundamental motivation of altruism is empathy“And he explained: “There are two aspects of empathy: the emotional, when I feel the pain or sadness of others, and the cognitive, when understanding why something happens to someone.” When these areas are activated – the anterior cingulate and the anterior tegmental area -, the desire to help arises. “After helping, the dopaminea neurotransmitter related to reward. This brain reaction gives us happiness and well-being”, he remarked.
Crivelli He also delved into the intimate dilemma that many people go through when faced with a situation of spontaneous help: “A decision is put into play between own routine and the other’s need. He altruism involves a cost and a benefit: stop one’s own agenda to assist others, but in return one receives satisfaction and meaning.” According to the neuropsychologist, helping “lowers stress and brings happiness closer,” in line with studies that show that doing good to others has positive impact on mental health.
During the dialogue, the drivers raised the difference between those who genuinely help and those who do it to obtain social recognition. “When the motivation is to tell others or publish it on networks seeking approval, that is no longer altruism,” he defined. Crivelli. Although he appreciated that It is always important to promote good actionsmaintained that the difference is in intentionality: “Authentic altruism is voluntary and does not expect reward, neither material nor symbolic.”
When developing the social and evolutionary component of altruism, the expert emphasized: “As a species, we need the other members of our community to be well to prosper. Altruism is even based on evolution: in humans, Helping others arises from empathy and creativity to resolve the suffering of others. Unlike some animals that cooperate out of pure survival expecting immediate reciprocity, human beings can give without expecting a concrete return.”
Throughout the conversation Infobae Livepersonal testimonies and everyday examples emerged about how each person perceives their ability to help and the times when they act or prefer not to. “Many people feel guilty for not helping more, but it is part of the human condition. Help involves a cost, effort or personal sacrificewhether it be time or energy”, he differentiated Crivelli. However, he insisted that even small acts of kindness or active listening are valid expressions of everyday altruism.
“Sometimes one evaluates whether helping involves some sacrifice. For example, donating money may mean little effort for a financially well-off person, while Giving time to another can be a much more generous act“, he added, pointing out the difference between giving what is left over and giving what costs. Thus, he returned to the importance of personal meaning and the psychological dimension of altruistic gestures: “Helping others produces internal well-being, calms anxiety and gives purpose”.
At the discussion table, the question was also raised about how altruism can be influenced by religious, cultural or philosophical ideas. The neuropsychologist highlighted that altruistic experiences can also be seen as a apostolate or spiritual pathbut the key is in how each person experiences that act and what it represents for themselves. “Doing good involves some level of discomfort or effort, because one puts something of one’s own so that another is better,” he said.
Among the examples and anecdotes shared, Crivelli highlighted scientific research that demonstrates the social attractiveness of altruistic people. “A study concluded that men and women tend to consider people who perform helpful acts more attractive than those who do not. Altruism not only is valued, but it can have a visible impact on relationships and social coexistence,” he commented.
Regarding learning altruism, the specialist emphasized that “you are not born altruistic: It is a capacity that is developed in community, in family, through the values that are transmitted. However, even when someone grows up without these learnings, they can always acquire them later.” He also shared an encouraging fact: “Altruism is contagious. When we witness an altruistic act, we have a 40% greater chance of performing one of our own.”
At the closing of the talk in Infobae Live, Crivelli He stressed that “we all, at some point during the week, collaborate or help someone, even with gestures as simple as listening to those who need it, offering time or advice, or making a contribution in money or resources.” He insisted that “The circuits of empathy and altruism can be trained. The key is to recognize that one’s well-being is also strengthened when one acts in favor of others.”
The analysis addressed multiple perspectives on the degrees and forms of help, from large demonstrations to the most imperceptible gestures. “Especially on these dates close to the holidays, it is important to highlight that we can all do something, that there are no greatness requirements to attend and that the impact is usually multiplied“helping transforms both the one who receives and the one who gives,” concluded the neuropsychologist.
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