Pay it Forward” An Exploration of the Professional and the Personal in Psychology

“Pay it Forward”

 An Exploration of the Professional and the Personal in Psychology

This writer was tasked with performing an anonymous act of genuine kindness; although one that is not necessarily a grand gesture. This took some consideration and eventually led to the realization that “paying it forward” is something this writer tends to do without being asked. A perfect example of this would be helping someone on the roadside stranded. This paper is based on such an event.

A few days ago as the writer was traveling to the city she took note of a car and a family on the side of the road. She stopped and asked if she could help. The family had a flat tire and no spare. The writer offered to call for a tow truck, call a friend, or take them to get the tire repaired and get the kids and wife out of the hot Oklahoma sun. The family chose to get the tire repaired and so we were off to the nearest tire repair shop. Quickly we found the tire could not be repaired but rather had to be replaced. The family was short on funds to pay for such a replacement so the writer offered to help cover the cost to get them back on their way as they were quite a ways from home. The tire was replaced and the family car once again was road ready and the family was happy to be on their way.

Altruism, Social Responsibility, and Codependency 

This random act of kindness could be considered altruistic as the writer had no expectations of return for aid or defined reason for helping the family.  Altruism is defined as “an unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others (altruism, n.d.).” The very concept calls into question an individual’s ability to be “selfless or unselfish”. To be unselfish is to be “without concern for one’s self (unselfish, n.d.)” In an interview with Phil Donahue in 1979 Ayn Rand makes a case (though extreme in its views) for the inability for true altruism to exist. Rand states “that a person who sacrifices for someone they love is not altruistic; they are not self sacrificing because the person has value to them (Donahue, 1979).” Rand goes on to say that a person who helps another should do it “by your own choice, and it is not your primary aim in life, and it is not regarded as a moral virtue that defines the “goodness” of an individual (Donahue, 1979).” This writer agrees to a degree that altruism, in its purest form, cannot exist as even the most seemingly selfless acts gain the doer something; even if it is only personal satisfaction. With this said the writer is inclined to believe that altruistic acts or “paying it forward” is in fact a form of social responsibility. Ultimately the idea of altruism or altruistic acts comes down to social or personal responsibility, the value of the act and the person/people involved.

This brings one to consider the concept of codependency. Codependency is defined as “mutually dependant (codependency, n.d.).” Simply put the one individual is dependent on another; in psychology this often alludes to the dependency of a client on the therapist for care and recovery of mental illness, drug addiction or traumatic recovery. In the concept of “paying it forward” the codependency is found in the doer and recipient as there is mutual dependency in the action. This is found as the doer is dependent on the acceptance of the recipient and the recipient is dependent on the doer for the act. Such as is seen in the writers experience with the family and the flat tire. The writer could only gain the “good feeling” or completion of social responsibility through the family’s willingness to accept help from her. The family could only move forward with the help of the writer; thus making the relationship (though brief) one of mutual dependency. The codependent nature of an altruistic act allows for the continuation such acts as the benefits often out way the cost. Applying Altruism

Altruistic behavior in Psychological Practice

The natural combination of codependency, social responsibility and altruistic behavior is found in the foundations of psychological practice. Psychologists and other psychological professionals aim to support their clients’ needs by providing services that are in the best interest of the client and within the ethical and legal limits of the practice. Due to the natural limitation of the practice the concept of altruistic behavior is found in the choice to become a serving professional and the application of psychological principles that are designed to ease human suffering and difficulty thus improving the quality of life. The choice to serve humankind in this manner is altruistic in nature however it does not meet the demands of true altruism as there is (to some degree) an expectation of payment for services rendered and the relative influence of personal agenda such as seeing the client healed, improved or otherwise aided accordingly.

It is the charge of the psychological professional to dedicate their professional life to the practice and application of theory and knowledge to improve the lives of those they treat. This is outwardly altruistic and in a sense defines the profession and those who decide to work in it. The “alignment” towards the altruistic concept is the foundation of a practicing professional; one must have the desire, make the choice to aide others through the application of theory and research; through interaction and connection. The expense of such an endeavor for some may out way the benefits such as those who experience “burnout”. This however does not make their choice to behave altruistically any less altruistic and it does not take away from the acts performed for those in need. 

Altruism and the Human Condition 

Altruism demands that an individual be willing to sacrifice their happiness for that of others; it is the essence of what it means to be altruistic but this does not necessarily define altruistic behavior. Altruistic behavior, in this writers opinion, is behavior that is socially responsibly, mutually beneficial and produces a positive outcome for all involved. In the writers’ description of events concerning the aid given to the family on the roadside; the relationship/event met all the defining qualities of altruistic behavior as well as the essence of altruism that is in accordance with the human condition. The human condition is defined by the very basics of needs such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These basic needs should always supersede the needs of others but not at the expense of others. In psychology these needs are able to be met while performing a generally altruistic action that is found in therapeutic situations.

In the situation described by the writer the actions performed are done so with the hope that it will create a domino effect where the recipient finds themselves in a place and time where the action they take is in accordance with a “pay it forward” response to the actions received from the writer. This creates a type of social contract to do for others what has been done for you. The very nature of altruistic behavior is that it provides mutual benefit for all parties involved, and promotes the “pay it forward syndrome” where those who have received aid  will be inspired to aid others (Berkowitz & Daniels, 1964).

Responsibility and the Future of Psychology

The founding principles of psychological practice are based on the concepts of altruism. The modern professional must strive to provide the type of care and consideration that promotes the altruistic concepts. Many professionals meet the “altruistic” needs by providing pro bono work, volunteering at free clinics, maintaining high standards of practice and other such actions that work to promote mental wellness. To some this would be considered a responsibility of sorts as it appears to be something that is done out of social expectations (Plante, 2011).  It is this writers belief that most professionals “pay it forward” as a matter of who they are; their internal motivations.

It is this writer’s opinion that the future of psychology needs to be based on the standards of altruistic ideals; the idea that their professional purpose is to aid others in their time of need. This profession and society in general is in desperate need of those who will work for the common good; who understand and empathize with the struggles of the mind and the body. Martin Luther King Jr. once said “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness (King Jr., 1963).” King understood that man is inclined towards the selfishness that is part of our very primal nature but he understood that as thinking creative being we could take control of those baser instincts and move one by one into a future where the idea of “pay it forward” is less of a novelty and more of a common occurrence.

Conclusion

Through the preparation and writing of the paper the writer discovered many points of view with regard to the “pay it forward” idea and how it relates to modern psychology. It is the writers opinion or rather hopes that in the future the field of psychology and those professionals working within it will be the examples for others to bring creative altruism to the everyday situations without the sacrifice of self. This balancing act between Kings’ ideals  of the greatest part of man and Rands’ concepts of contradiction can work together to create professionals, citizens, a society that is universally dedicated to mutual support while honoring the natural autonomy of the individual. In psychology it is this writers opinion that one must remember that the code of ethics by which practice is done is not the ethics of the person practicing but rather a guideline for one whom already posses’ good moral character and the natural inclination to pay it forward to their fellow man. 

References

altruism. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved May 29 2012 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/altruism

Berkowitz, L., & Daniels, L. R. (1964). Affecting the salience of the social responsibility norm: effects of past help on the response to dependency relationships. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 68(3), 275-281. doi: 10.1037/h0040164 

codependency. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved May 29 2012 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/codependency

King Martin L. Jr. (1963) Letter from the Birmingham City Jail. (Excerpts) Ashbrook Center. Ashland University. Ashland Ohio. Retrieved from http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=100

Plante, T. G. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. 

unselfish. (n.d.) Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged. (1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003). Retrieved May 29 2012 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/unselfish