When Helping Helps: Autonomous Motivation for Prosocial Behavior and Its Influence on Well-Being for the Helper and Recipient

摘要

Self-determination theory posits that the degree to which a prosocial act is volitional or autonomous predicts its effect on well-being and that psychological need satisfaction mediates this relation. Fourstudies tested the impact of autonomous and controlled motivation for helping others on well-being andexplored effects on other outcomes of helping for both helpers and recipients. Study 1 used a diarymethod to assess daily relations between prosocial behaviors and helper well-being and tested mediatingeffects of basic psychological need satisfaction. Study 2 examined the effect of choice on motivation andconsequences of autonomous versus controlled helping using an experimental design. Study 3 examinedthe consequences of autonomous versus controlled helping for both helpers and recipients in a dyadictask. Finally, Study 4 manipulated motivation to predict helper and recipient outcomes. Findings supportthe idea that autonomous motivation for helping yields benefits for both helper and recipient throughgreater need satisfaction. Limitations and implications are discussed.