EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ALTRUISTIC ORIENTATION IN INDIVIDUALS IN EARLY ADULTHOOD

Abstract

The article is focused on the empirical analysis of the theoretically identified psychological factors underlying the manifestation of altruistic orientation in individuals at the stage of early adulthood. It reviews contemporary definitions of “altruistic orientation” and outlines the psychological characteristics of the phenomenon studied. To achieve the research objectives, a set of theoretical methods (analysis and synthesis of the relevant literature) and psychodiagnostic instruments were applied to assess the key aspects of prosocial behavior, in particular, social responsibility, empathic concern, perspective taking, personal distress, moral reasoning (orientation towards others and mutual interests), self-reported altruism, the capacity to empathize with others, experience the same emotions as another person, and identify themselves with the other person’s emotional state. The study identifies and describes the psychological features of the following factors that foster the development of altruistic orientation in adulthood: emotional responsiveness (expressed through empathy and empathic concern); moral motivation (linked to moral courage, helping behavior, altruistic punishment, and moral reasoning); and social responsibility and social orientation (shaped by helping others and consideration of societal interests). The findings show that most participants exhibit a high level of altruistic orientation, as evidenced by elevated scores in social responsibility, empathy, perspective taking, and moral reasoning. These results suggest that the early-adulthood sample possesses substantial potential for altruistic behavior and prosocial interaction. Future research will employ regression analysis to determine which factors most strongly influence the development of altruistic orientation in early adulthood.