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When Helping Helps: Autonomous Motivation for Prosocial Behavior and
Its Influence on Well-Being for the Helper and Recipient
Netta Weinstein and Richard M. Ryan
University of Rochester
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. Four
studies tested the impact of autonomous and controlled motivation for helping others on well-being and
explored effects on other outcomes of helping for both helpers and recipients. Study 1 used a diary
method to assess daily relations between prosocial behaviors and helper well-being and tested mediating
effects of basic psychological need satisfaction. Study 2 examined the effect of choice on motivation and
consequences of autonomous versus controlled helping using an experimental design. Study 3 examined
the consequences of autonomous versus controlled helping for both helpers and recipients in a dyadic
task. Finally, Study 4 manipulated motivation to predict helper and recipient outcomes. Findings support
the idea that autonomous motivation for helping yields benefits for both helper and recipient through
greater need satisfaction. Limitations and implications are discussed.
Keywords: autonomy, motivation, helping, prosocial behavior, well-being
Prosocial behavior is an umbrella term used to describe acts
undertaken to protect or enhance the welfare of others (S. H.
Schwartz & Bilsky, 1990) and includes helpful interventions (e.g.,
Batson, 1987; Cialdini et al., 1987), volunteer work (e.g., Foster,
Mourato, Pearce, & Ozdemiroglu, 2001; Freeman, 1997), and the
donating of money (Frey & Meier, 2004) or blood (Piliavin &
Callero, 1991), among other examples. These behaviors each have
unique characteristics, but they all involve intentional actions that
help or benefit others. Such helping behaviors are prevalent in our
society (Thoits & Hewitt, 2001); in fact, a recent report estimated
that 26.4% of Americans over age 16 volunteered in 2007–2008
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2009), and
past prevalence estimates have been similarly high (e.g., Wilson,
2000).
Given the frequency of prosocial behaviors it appears clear that
many people are motivated to help others. Yet past research has
suggested that the motives leading people to help others can affect
the experience and outcomes of helping (e.g., Batson & Oleson,
1991; Clary & Snyder, 1991; Reykowski, 1982). In the present
studies we attempt to extend the research on the motives of helping
by considering the degree of volition or autonomy behind the
actor’s behavior as it impacts both the experience of the helper and
that of the recipient of help.
Prosocial Behaviors and Well-Being
It has long been thought that prosocial behaviors affect the
well-being of the helper as well as the help recipient. For example,
Aristotle (350 B.C./1985, p. 1159) claimed that true human hap-
piness, which he described as eudaimonia (Ryan & Deci, 2001),
was furthered more “by loving rather than in being loved.” More
recently, Mother Teresa stated “Nothing makes you happier than
when you reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt”
(Myers, 1992, p. 194). Research has lent empirical support to such
claims. For example, studies demonstrate that volunteers are less
prone to depression (Brown, Gary, Greene, & Milburn, 1992;
Rietschlin, 1998; Wilson & Musick, 1999) and experience greater
personal happiness (Ellison, 1991), life satisfaction (Wheeler,
Gorey, & Greenblatt, 1998), and self-esteem (Gecas & Burke,
1995; S. Newman, Vasudev, & Onawola, 1986). Studies also
demonstrate that giving help is correlated with higher levels of
mental health (C. E. Schwartz, Meisenhelder, Yusheng, & Reed,
2003), life adjustment (Crandall & Lehman, 1977), and lower
feelings of hopelessness (Miller, Denton, & Tobacyk, 1986) and
depression (Crandall, 1975).
Notably, this important body of work has largely focused on
volunteering behavior, which offers different rewards and incen-
tives than those afforded by other forms of prosocial behaviors,
especially those that occur spontaneously in day-to-day life (Sny-
der, Clary, & Stukas, 2000; Wilson, 2000). Thus, conclusions
drawn from the effects of volunteering on well-being may not
necessarily generalize to other types of prosocial behaviors.
Motivation to Help
Several theoretical approaches have highlighted the role of
motivation in prosocial behaviors. For example, the functional
approach (Clary & Snyder, 1991) states that individuals will
engage in prosocial behaviors to the extent that they have certain
motives for these behaviors (these include the expression of val-
ues, developing understanding, social responsibility, and career
enhancement). Clary et al. (1998) further proposed that certain
Netta Weinstein and Richard M. Ryan, Department of Psychology,
University of Rochester.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Netta
Weinstein, Meliora Hall-CSP, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
14627. E-mail: netta@psych.rochester.edu
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology © 2010 American Psychological Association
2010, Vol. 98, No. 2, 222–244 0022-3514/10/$12.00 DOI: 10.1037/a0016984
222
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