Phenomenon of Altruism: Current Youth Perceptions From the Historical and Sociological Perspectives

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15826/csp.2025.9.1.321

Abstract

Perceptions held by youth regarding altruism are analyzed using the findings of empirical research. The article proposes a historical and sociological conceptualization of the phenomenon of altruism, which is interpreted as a set of actions and interactions between individuals and groups intended to benefit another person. Drawing on interview materials (n = 34), the authors argue that the younger generation is oriented toward prosocial activities (banal altruism) in everyday practices and believe altruists to be selfless, responsive, caring, well-bred, and kind people. Young people adopt the Golden Rule of morality, believing that altruistic acts promote social solidarity and justice. A small proportion of youth exhibit egocentric attitudes, which can be attributed to rationalized thinking, fear, and negative experiences of prosocial activities. The informants are selective in their willingness to engage in altruistic acts, focusing primarily on personal, reciprocal, public, and non-institutional altruism. The study revealed that youth consider altruism to be a form of local proactive normative behavior, which indicates the social potential of youth to reproduce social order and social sustainability through altruistic practices in everyday life.

Author Biographies

Natalya L. Antonova, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Natalya L. Antonova, Dr. Sci. (Sociology), Professor, Department of Sociology and Technologies of Public Administration, Ural Federal University. Her research interests focus on the theory and methodology of sociological research, sociology of social changes, urban studies, study of the human body, modern educational technologies, and modern global processes. Natalya L. Antonova is the author of over 250 articles in the field of social studies. Her most recent research focuses on social transformations of the urban space and social practices of the urban youth.

Ilia E. Levchenko, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Ilia E. Levchenko, Dr. Sci. (Sociology), Professor, Department of Applied Sociology, Ural Federal University. His research interests cover the fields of censorship, thanatosociology, and history of classical sociology, with the recent focus on the history of Russian sociology and sociology of science. Ilia E. Levchenko is the author of over 100 articles in the field of social studies.

Natalia G. Popova, Institute for Philosophy and Law of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Natalia G. Popova, Cand. Sci. (Sociology), Senior Researcher, Institute for Philosophy and Law of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Natalia G. Popova has been conducting research into various aspects of academic communication for over 25 years. Currently, her research interests center around sociology of science and technology, in particular, the problems of open access and digitalization, transformation in the role of scientific journals in academic communication, academic publishing under the influence of contemporary trends.

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Published
2025-04-30
How to Cite
Antonova, N., Levchenko, I., & Popova, N. (2025). Phenomenon of Altruism: Current Youth Perceptions From the Historical and Sociological Perspectives. Changing Societies & Personalities, 9(1), 120–142. doi:10.15826/csp.2025.9.1.321
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Issue
Vol. 9, No. 1 (2025): Special Issue “Ethnic Identities in Virtual Space”
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Articles