Self-Transcendence, Time Perspective, and Prosocial Behavior
Robert C. Mathews, Kacey J. Kling
Journal of Voluntary Action Research April 1, 1988 DOI: 10.1177/089976408801700202 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational survey study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 482 |
| Population | Adult respondents in the Baton Rouge community |
| Key findings | The motivational bases of different prosocial behavior factors differed, but the "nature mode" of symbolic immortality (identification with nature) was related to all five prosocial factors and none of the asocial factors. The authors suggest these findings have applications for motivating volunteers in social organizations. |
Abstract
This study examines the hypothesis that different types of prosocial behaviors are motivated by different ways of fulfilling the need to relate to life beyond one's self. Lifton's (1973, 1976) theory of symbolic immortality is used to generate predictions concerning relations between differences in the ways individuals express this need and differences in the frequency of various types of prosocial behaviors. In the study, 482 adult respondents in the Baton Rouge community filled out a questionnaire measuring their symbolic immortality needs and their time perspective, and estima ting the frequency with which they engage in a variety of prosocial and asocial behaviors. A factor analysis of the social behavior data revealed five prosocial factors (peace activism, nominal donors, proximal donors, family communication, and family security), and two asocial factors (nonconformist pleasure seeking, and illegal behaviors). Multiple regression analyses indicated that the motivational bases of these social behavior factors were quite different. However, the "nature mode" of symbolic immortality (e.g., identification with nature) was related to all five prosocial factors and none of the asocial factors. The results are discussed in terms of current research on prosocial behavior and applications to motivating volunteers in social organizations.