In this episode Caroline and Linda debate another intriguing topic:
What is altruism, and what is its purpose?
Is altruism only evident in humans, or can dogs behave altruistically?
Linda begins by defining altruism. She goes on to explain how scientists discovered the reason for altruistic behaviour—which, it turns out, is to maximise the chance that a species as a whole will survive and thrive. She also lists the many ‘side benefits’ of altruism, including better health, greater happiness, even increased longevity.
But can other species—in our case of course, dogs—also behave altruistically? Caroline explains, and adds a cross-species benefit: having a dog in the family can teach children to behave more responsibly and altruistically.
But with altruism, like so many other good qualities, Linda emphasises the importance of balance. Altruism to the exclusion of self-care, she warns, creates a victim mentality, which helps neither helper nor the helped.
Caroline closes this episode—the last in the first series—by encouraging listeners to extend kindness to their dog, and to behave altruistically rather than competitively towards other pet parents.
Finally, while waiting for the next series of podcasts, everyone is encouraged to send Caroline and Linda examples from their own experience and to offer suggestions for further podcasts, so they can make the next series as relevant to as many listeners as possible.
What's inside this episode?
00:00 Introduction, including a definition of altruism.
02:06 Why altruistic behaviour exists and continues.
04:26 The ‘side benefits’ of altruism.
05:05 Altruistic behaviour of dog to dog is often seen. Altruistic behaviour of dog to humans is more complex.
09:53 The importance of observing animals to help us better understand humans.
11:05 The neurochemical rewards when humans and dogs behave altruistically.
12:07 How having a family pet can encourage altruistic behaviour in young children.
14:48 The importance of maintaining a balance between behaving altruistically towards others and caring for oneself.
18:27 The importance of balancing online social interactions with face to face encounters.
22:26 A reminder to try to be more altruistic than competitive towards other pet parents.
23:56 Encouraging altruism towards your dog.
25:10 Just one thing: ‘Get out there and give!’
26:00 Caroline and Linda close this episode, explaining it’s the end of the first series of Supporting Both Ends of the Lead. Listeners are encouraged to send in experiences and suggestions about what they’d like to hear in the next series.
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Caroline Wilkinson is a Certified Animal Behaviourist. She is a Full (assessed) Member of the APDT and INTODogs – as well as a Registered Training Instructor (ABTC). Caroline is also a Certified Real Dog Yoga Practitioner and an Applied Canine Zoopharmacognosist. Caroline writes for Pets Radar, as well as a number of trusted pet brands. She also speaks around the country – presenting workshops and webinars with a focus on living more mindfully alongside our canine companions.
Dr. Linda Blair is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Chartered Scientist, Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society and registered as a Practitioner Psychologist in the Health and Care Professions Council. She trained at Harvard and the Institute of Psychiatry in London, and has offered cognitive behavioural and mindfulness-based psychotherapy for over 40 years in the NHS and privately. She has also taught various aspects of psychology at the University of Cambridge and the Open University.
