Altruistic Love (Altruistic Love) | 마음스캔 심리학 용어사전

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What Is Altruistic Love?

Mindy is here to explore this with you. The psychologist Erich Fromm described genuine love as 'an active concern for the life and growth of that which we love.' Altruistic love is the form of love that comes closest to this definition.

Characteristics of Altruistic Love

Unconditional: The feeling does not change based on what the other person does or does not do

Spontaneous: Actions that come from the heart, not from a sense of obligation

Self-sacrificial elements: Prioritizing the other person's needs above one's own comfort

Joy: The other person's happiness becomes your own

The Psychology Behind Altruistic Love

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love holds that love is composed of three elements: intimacy, passion, and commitment. Altruistic love especially involves a strong element of commitment, and it tends to appear in mature, deep relationships.

The Difference Between Healthy Altruistic Love and Self-Sacrifice

Altruistic love is beautiful, but healthy boundaries matter:

Healthy altruistic love: Caring for the other person while also taking care of yourself

Self-sacrificial love: Completely neglecting yourself and focusing only on the other person

The latter can lead to codependency, so it is worth being mindful of.

Mindy's Warm Thought

Altruistic love is one of the most noble feelings a person can have. But remember — just as you can only share water from a full cup, truly caring for yourself first is where genuine altruistic love begins.

💡 Real-Life Example

Parents willingly setting aside their own comfort for the sake of their child's dreams, or a friend who stays by your side without asking for anything in return when you're struggling — these are expressions of altruistic love.

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