Author: Thanmayi SB, Mohsina Sultana, Johnson W S
DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.70798/Bijmrd/04042032
Abstract: Altruism is defined as a selfless, voluntary, and often costly action aimed at enhancing the welfare of others without expectation of reward. According to Auguste Comte “Altruism is living for others” (Comte, 1851–1854). Attachment styles are psychological patterns of behaviour, emotions, and trust developed in early childhood based on interactions with primary caregivers, which influence how individuals relate to others in adulthood. Based on the findings of the ‘Strange Situation experiment’ by Mary Ainsworth, there exists three types of attachment styles, namely, Secure attachment, Anxious-ambivalent attachment (resistant attachment) and Avoidant attachment. Later disorganised attachment style was added (Mary Ainsworth: Attachment Theory and the Strange Situation – Attachment Project, 2025). The study comprised of 62 male and 58 female, totalling 120 samples. Once the data were collected, they were analysed using Pearson product moment correlation, independent samples t- tests and one-way ANOVA using SPSS for (version 20.0.), the results consistently suggest that attachment style does not have a statistically significant relationship with altruism in the present study, and the null hypotheses were retained across all analyses. Despite the absence of statistically significant findings, the current research was able to make a significant contribution to the existing body of research by emphasizing the fact that attachment styles do not necessarily serve as direct predictors of altruistic behavior.
Keywords: Altruism, Attachment Styles, Anxious Attachment, Avoidant Attachment, Disorganised Attachment.
Page No: 255-264