The concept of required helpfulness

Rachman, S.

doi:10.1016/0005-7967(79)90044-5

Cited by 40 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…This was demonstrated for soldiers (Rachman, 1979), Vietnam Veterans (Kishon-Barash et al, 1999, Americans in the aftermath of 09/11 (Wayment, 2004), Holocaust survivors (Kahana et al, 1988), bereaved spouses (Brown et al, 2008), and HIVpositive individuals (Reeves et al, 1999). A specific form of coping was found among Holocaust survivors, who reported that helping was a way of maintaining humanity in times of atrocities (Kahana et al, 1988).…”

Section: Motivational Processes and Volitional Factorsmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…This has been described as ''required helpfulness'' (Rachman, 1979; see also Southwick et al, 2005). It can increase with reciprocity and other social norms of helping, explicit requests from others, or because of the perceived ability to help relative to those suffering more (Kaniasty & Norris, 1995b).…”

Section: Required Helpfulness and Reciprocity Normsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, Rachman (1979) reports prosocial acts among combat soldiers in response to situational demands of suffering during war, referring to this phenomenon as ''required helpfulness.'' Although these acts are performed to help and reduce harm of others, reportedly helping also reduces the helper's fear in these situations (Rachman, 1979). A more extreme case of altruistic behavior among soldiers is self-sacrifice, or what has been described as ''altruistic suicide'' in combat, and it was found more frequently in cohesive groups (Blake, 1978).…”

Section: Interpersonal Helping In the Immediate Situationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Altruism Born of Suffering and Prosocial Behavior Following Adverse Life Events: A Review and Conceptualization

2009

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This paper introduces the concept of ''altruism born of suffering,'' and provides a review and integration of relevant research and theories from various disciplines. In contrast to the well-supported notion that prosocial behavior is rooted in positive experiences, whereas violence and adversity often contribute to further violence and antisocial behavior, it is proposed that suffering may actually enhance the motivation to help other disadvantaged members of society, including outgroups. A motivational process model is presented that includes a typology of altruism born of suffering, integrates clinical and social psychological perspectives on underlying processes, and proposes potential mediators and moderators. Relevant empirical studies are reviewed that provide initial support for this model. A particular emphasis is placed on victims of group-based violence, and implications for intergroup relations and social justice.Keywords Altruism Á Prosocial behavior Á Suffering Á Collective violence Á Intergroup relations A commonly held view is that altruism and prosocial behavior originate in positive experiences and processes, whereas antisocial behavior is often rooted in negative conditions and life experiences. Indeed, social psychological theories of altruism and prosocial behavior tend to study the phenomenon in the general population and have focused on positive factors, whereas most research on traumatic events and adverse life experiences is centered in the field of clinical psychology and has focused on negative, psychopathological effects.

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Section: Motivational Processes and Volitional Factorsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Required Helpfulness and Reciprocity Normsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Interpersonal Helping In the Immediate Situationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Altruism Born of Suffering and Prosocial Behavior Following Adverse Life Events: A Review and Conceptualization

2009

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“…Psychology needs to start getting seriously concerned with the qualities and experiences that make life most worthwhile. Gillham and Seligman [1] point at the sterling work of Rachman [2,3] who helped launch a systematic science of human strengths, in view of his experience with various clients with debilitating emotional disorders and past traumas. Positive psychology requires such strides to balance what has been a one-sided view of human being.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does Child Maltreatment Mediate Family Environment and Psychological Well-Being?

Galea¹

2010

PSYCH

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“…Another aspect of social connectedness is the notion of required helpfulness (Rachman, 1979). In many families, children assume the responsibility for caring for younger siblings, elderly grandparents, or ill parents (Werner & Smith, 1992).…”

Section: What Kinds Of Things Do They Do?"mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interviewing to Understand Strengths

Hass

2018

iejee

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Interviewing clients about their strengths is an important part of developing a complete understanding of their lives and has several advantages over simply focusing on problems and pathology. Prerequisites for skillfully interviewing for strengths include the communication skills that emerge from a stance of not knowing, developing a vocabulary of strengths that allows practitioners to identify and name them, and having a "ear for strengths." Building on this, Saleebey (2008) offers a framework of eight types of questions that allow us to explore strengths in depth with clients.

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The concept of required helpfulness

Cited by 40 publications

References 6 publications

Altruism Born of Suffering and Prosocial Behavior Following Adverse Life Events: A Review and Conceptualization

Altruism Born of Suffering and Prosocial Behavior Following Adverse Life Events: A Review and Conceptualization

Does Child Maltreatment Mediate Family Environment and Psychological Well-Being?

Interviewing to Understand Strengths

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