Why don't people help others more?

Abstract

This article discusses the challenge of motivating people to be more altruistic. It highlights psychological studies that demonstrate how a singular and highly identifiable victim can trigger empathy and willingness to donate, as opposed to general information about large-scale suffering. Factors such as futility thinking, diffusion of responsibility, and fairness norms are explored as barriers to altruism. Strategies to overcome these barriers include creating a culture of open and encouraged altruism, implementing opt-out philanthropy, and instilling a sense of responsibility to help others. – AI-generated abstract.