THE IMPACT OF EMPATHY AND VALUES ALTRUISM IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Empathy is described as an emotional state induced by the construction of an internally created duplicate of another person's emotional state paired with a feeling of kindness (Batson, 2002). This skill is important in social life according to (Bar-Tal, 1976) and is considered as the stimulating power of social behaviors, which are connected with group cohesiveness and are dispersed in all individuals, male or female (Austin, 1979). Empathy is recognized as a critical component for women's and men's effective performances and interpersonal reactions (Eisenberg-Berg, 1979).

The ability to demonstrate empathy is referred to as an individual's empathetic propensity. The capacity to comprehend a fellow student’s sentiments and be impacted by their emotional experiences, as well as the want to help, is described as an empathetic inclination. From this vantage point, empathetic inclinations have a favorable influence on altruistic conduct, and empathetic tendencies are utilized as a criterion in defining altruistic behavior. Empathetic capacity and proclivity have been linked to altruistic activities aimed at alleviating the suffering of others. People with sympathetic inclinations are more likely to assist someone they consider to be in need (Batson, 2002).

Altruism is described as paying attention and caring for others without any expectation other than the desire to assist and benefit them or protect them from harm. Altruistic behaviors are described as actions that generate a positive reaction to the needs and welfare of others with the goal of assisting and benefiting others (Batson,  Fultz, Schoenrade, & Paduano, 1987). Sharing, loving, showing respect, cooperating, and helping to save others from harm, as well as empathizing with others, are examples of these activities.

Bar-Tal, (1976), who proposed the idea of empathy and focused on describing the qualities and characteristics of altruistic persons, defines this behavior as the ability to sympathize with others. He argued that those who are better able to comprehend and sympathize with the problems of those in need are more inclined to do an act of altruism or engage in altruistic conduct. Individuals that have greater empathy for the problems of others are more sensitive, respond more affectionately, and give the most frequent and high-quality assistance (Batson, Fultz, Schoenrade, & Paduano, 1987).

In ethics, value is the degree of importance of an object or action, with the goal of identifying what activities are best to perform or how to live, or describing the significance of different actions. It is the the principles that help you to decide what is right and wrong, and how to act in various situations. Altruism refers to self-sacrificed activities performed for the benefit of others regardless of the actor's material or social results. The focus on the actor's motive is critical to this definition: An act is only altruistic if it is motivated by concern for the well-being of others. To put it another way, altruistic action is driven by a desire to validate one's own moral ideals (Batson, Bolen, Cross, & Neuringer-Benefiel,1986).

Altruism is a prosocial habit that may be related to the twenty-first century skill learning objectives that all students should achieve in order to be prepared for post secondary education. Altruism is founded in social psychology, which focuses on human motives as individuals. According to the social psychology approach, people "act out of concern for our own well-being rather than any true or altruistic care for the welfare of others (Emler, & Rushton, 1974). The concept of altruism applies not to every ethically motivated treatment of others, but rather to what is done out of a concern for the good of others—that is, for their well-being. Altruistic deeds can be defined as philanthropic, benevolent, or kind, because these adjectives also communicate the sense of doing for the welfare of others, rather than simply acting correctly towards others.

People's moral judgements and values are frequently influenced by emotion. And it appears that valuing values and relationships with others encourages charity. Empathy and values altruism have a good impact on pupils' academic success and influence academic achievement-related actions (Eisenberg-Berg, 1979). Altruism, as a positive affection, may improve interpersonal relationships while also improving cognition and social health (Batson,  Duncan,  Ackerman,  Buckley, & Birch, 1981). Many behaviors that people deliberately engage in while creating objectives for themselves, both in personal and societal dimensions, are explained by the individual structure of values. Personal concerns for the well-being and interests of others, for example, that fit within a wider framework of values, may inspire altruistic behavior.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Schools may enhance empathy and altruism development by providing organized chances for children to participate in a range of activities that benefit others. Little is known about the unique reasons of university students who show empathy for their classmates. Understanding the motivations and perceived benefits of empathy and value altruism will aid in the development of students who meet the social and psychological goals of an empathetic person, as well as supporting the development of students who meet the social and psychological goals of an empathetic person. Current research on the motivations and perceived advantages of empathetic high school students, as well as the identification of altruism among high school students, is insufficient (Emler, & Rushton, 1974).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to examine the impact of Empathy And Values Altruism In University Students. Other objectives of this study are:

i.          To determine the awareness level of students concerning empathy and values altruism

ii.        To assess the relationship between empathy and values altruism in University students

iii.      To examine the impact of empathy and values altruism on the academic achievement of University students.

iv.      To examine the ways University students can exhibit empathy and values altruism

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered by this study.

i.          What is the awareness level of students concerning empathy and values altruism?

ii.        What is the relationship between empathy and values altruism in University students?

iii.      Does empathy and values altruism impact on the academic achievement of students?

iv.      What are the ways University students can exhibit empathy and values altruism?

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will be greatly beneficial to the field of psychology as the findings of this study will show the relationship between empathy and values altruism, and the impacts it has on students academic achievement. This study will also be beneficial to students, parents and the society as this study will reveal the importance of empathy and values altruism in our every day life.

Finally, this study will be beneficial to the scholars as it will serve as an existing material for further research and future reference.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study will focus on the Impact of Empathy And Values Altruism In University Students. It will also focus on the relationship between empathy and values altruism and the impact it has on university students academic achievement.

This study will be using students of the University of Calabar, Cross River State as enrolled participants.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This study will be limited to the Impact of Empathy And Values Altruism In University Students. It will also be limited to the relationship between empathy and values altruism and the impact it has on university students academic achievement. This study will not be focusing on the challenges of students who are empathetic and altruistic neither will it proffer solutions.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Impact: a marked effect or influence

Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Values: the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

Altruism: disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others

REFERENCES

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Bar-Tal, D. (1976). Prosocial behavior: Theory and research. Washington, DC, US: Hemisphere Publishing Corp.

Bar-Tal, D., Raviv, A., & Goldberg, M., (1982). Helping behavior among preschool children: An observational study. Child Development, 53(2), 396–402.

Batson, C. (2002). Addressing the altruism question experimentally. In Altruism and altruistic love: Science, philosophy, and religion in dialogue (pp. 89–105).

Batson, C., Bolen, M., Cross, J., & Neuringer-Benefiel, H. E. (1986). Where is the altruism in the altruistic personality? Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50(1), 212–220.

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