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Daoism and Altruism: A China–USA Perspective

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Altruism in Cross-Cultural Perspective

Part of the book series: International and Cultural Psychology ((ICUP))

Abstract

This chapter begins by addressing the basic Eastern and Western debates and findings about human altruism, including the relationship between altruism and Chinese Daoism (or Taoism). Daoism originated in China over 2,500 years ago, but its impact seems universal with regard to human beliefs and behavior. Second, we cover the Daoist water-like Big-Five model (which includes altruism) and review empirical cross-cultural results from two USA–China studies based on this model. Finally, the chapter concludes with a look at the implications of and prospects for this research.

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Acknowledgments

We extend our thanks to Heather Rasinski, Mark Ratta, Timothy Bodie, and the assistants in our SCIR (Social Cognition and Intercultural Relations) Laboratory for their helpful comments on prior versions of this chapter. Part of the data cited in this chapter was originally reported elsewhere by Lee and colleagues (Lee & Haught, 2013; Lee, Norasakkunkit, et al., 2008).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH, 43606-3390, USA

    Yueh-Ting Lee & Sydney Xinni Chan

  2. Department of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Toledo, 2801 West Bancroft Street, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA

    Wenting Chen

Authors
  1. Yueh-Ting Lee
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  2. Wenting Chen
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  3. Sydney Xinni Chan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Yueh-Ting Lee .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. California Institute of Integral Studies, SETI Institute, Center for SETI Research, Mountain View, 94043, California, USA

    Douglas A. Vakoch

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Lee, YT., Chen, W., Chan, S.X. (2013). Daoism and Altruism: A China–USA Perspective. In: Vakoch, D. (eds) Altruism in Cross-Cultural Perspective. International and Cultural Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6952-0_7

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