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Concern for future generations predicts costly present‐day prosociality and extraordinary altruism: A case study of organ donorship

Grace Bauer et al.

British Journal of Social Psychology2026https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.70070article
AJG 3ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Are concerns for future generations and present-day prosociality at odds? Across three studies, we test the common assumption of a tradeoff between future-oriented concern and immediate helping behaviour. Drawing on theories of moral expansiveness, we examine whether individuals who report greater concern for the far future (as measured by 'intergenerational concern' and 'impartial intergenerational beneficence') are also more likely to engage in or express interest in organ donation, a costly and urgent form of present-day prosociality. In Study 1 (a large-scale survey), Study 2 (a pre-registered experiment) and Study 3 (a comparison of living organ donors, often termed 'extraordinary altruists', with demographically similar controls), concern for future generations predicts donor status, comfort discussing donation and intentions to register. These findings extend psychological theory on prosocial concern across time and provide initial evidence for a novel, theoretically grounded pathway by which future-oriented concern may strengthen rather than compete with present-day prosociality and altruism.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.70070

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@article{grace2026,
  title        = {{Concern for future generations predicts costly present‐day prosociality and extraordinary altruism: A case study of organ donorship}},
  author       = {Grace Bauer et al.},
  journal      = {British Journal of Social Psychology},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/bjso.70070},
}

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Concern for future generations predicts costly present‐day prosociality and extraordinary altruism: A case study of organ donorship

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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