Guilt, perceived injustice, and altruistic behavior.

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Abstract
Hypothesized that 2 separate mechanisms may lead to altruism after harm-doing: expiation of guilt and attempts to bolster belief in a "just world." 37 male and 47 female undergraduates served as Ss. For 56 Ss the experiment in which they were participating was ruined: 28 Ss were led to believe that their own negligence caused the misfortune, and 28 Ss were not at fault (responsible and witness conditions). As expected, Ss in both conditions contributed to a charitable fund more than controls, for whom no misfortune occurred. To distinguish between the guilt and just-world mechanisms, 1/2 the Ss were encouraged to cathart and/or rationalize their guilt in an interview. As predicted, this experience did not affect the altruism of Ss in the witness condition, but did reduce altruism in responsible-condition Ss. Internal analyses further strengthened the thesis that guilt is the source of altruistic acts in Ss who cause harm, and perceived injustice is the motive in witnesses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

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