A Qualitative Analysis of Altruism (Selflessness): Views of Headmasters in Turkey

Abstract

Being an educationist necessitates having many values. One of these values is altruism. In this study conducted on the altruism phenomenon, the dimensions of altruism demonstrated by a key group of educationists, namely the headmasters, and the reasons motivating their altruistic behavior were investigated. The aim is to create awareness around the altruism phenomenon in education. For this purpose, the study group includes 17 altruist / selfless headmasters working in Turkey. The findings of the study showed that the headmasters demonstrated altruistic behaviors because of personal reasons, the desire to solve problems, ideals, the fear of failure, the image of the school, and valor. It is observed that managing a school necessitates altruistic behavior; however, headmasters are affected negatively in this process. Such negative effects could sometimes be associated with health or social life. Building on the fact that altruism is learnable and applicable, the paper contributes positively to educating people by creating awareness around this phenomenon.