Defining and measuring blood donor altruism: a theoretical approach from biology, economics and psychology

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Evans, R. and Ferguson, E. (2014) Defining and measuring blood donor altruism: a theoretical approach from biology, economics and psychology. Vox Sanguinis, 106 (2). pp. 118-126. ISSN 0042-9007

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Abstract

Background and Objectives

While blood donation is traditionally described as a behaviour motivated by pure altruism, the assessment of altruism in the blood donation literature has not been theoretically informed. Drawing on theories of altruism from psychology, economics and evolutionary biology, it is argued that a theoretically derived psychometric assessment of altruism is needed. Such a measure is developed in this study that can be used to help inform both our understanding of the altruistic motives of blood donors and recruitment intervention strategies.

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional survey (N = 414), with a 1-month behavioural follow-up (time 2, N = 77), was designed to assess theoretically derived constructs from psychological, economic and evolutionary biological theories of altruism. Theory of planned behaviour (TPB) variables and co-operation were also assessed at time 1 and a measure of behavioural co-operation at time 2.

Results

Five theoretical dimensions (impure altruism, kinship, self-regarding motives, reluctant altruism and egalitarian warm glow) of altruism were identified through factor analyses. These five altruistic motives differentiated blood donors from non-donors (donors scored higher on impure altruism and reluctant altruism), showed incremental validity over TPB constructs to predict donor intention and predicted future co-operative behaviour.

Conclusions

These findings show that altruism in the context of blood donation is multifaceted and complex and, does not reflect pure altruism. This has implication for recruitment campaigns that focus solely on pure altruism.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/996912
Keywords: altruism; blood donors; motivation; reciprocity; recruitment
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Science > School of Psychology
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1111/vox.12080
Depositing User: Liu, Mr Zhenxing
Date Deposited: 07 Apr 2014 14:57
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 20:15
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/2888

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