Should Psychologists help-No!

If we conducted a survey among female and male students enrolled in Psychology, asking

them to express their motivation for choosing the course, statistically a significant portion

would respond: "Because I want to help others."

A beautiful motivation, we might say, but is it really like that?

Instead, it’s not obvious that this is a good starting point for those who intend to work directly with people.

When behavior is benevolent, we need to reflect on motivation; when motivation is

benevolent, we need to reflect on behavior.

It sounds like a tongue twister, but it's much easier to understand with an example.

Suppose there are two individuals, A and B.

Individual A is a capitalist with his company and numerous subsidiaries.

Individual B is a worker barely making ends meet.

Both decide to regularly contribute a certain amount of money monthly to a well-known

charity.

Thus, the premise is that both perform the same action, but the question is whether they

deserve the same consequences.

Obviously not.

In fact, the dominant classes often use charity as a means of production, aiming to enhance

their own image and, consequently, the brand image of their profitable activities.

Objectively, regardless of the inner motivation of the capitalist, the act of financing services

and associations for charitable and non-profit purposes is publicly visible to everyone. And it

is precisely this spectacle of virtue that brings additional profit.

While the capitalist gains notoriety and visibility, what does our precarious worker get?

If they are particularly lucky, they are appreciated and thanked, but most of the time nothing

happens except that their family members reproach them for the uselessness of their action,

which seemingly produces no significant effect, adding to the already heavy pressure of life.

We arrive at the conclusion: benevolent action cannot be the sole basis for how we consider,

behave, trust, or perceive.

Therefore, it is important to distinguish between action and acting.

Action itself, unlike acting, is a defined and dichotomous concept. Only through social acting does the human being reveal their nuances, which, fortunately and unfortunately, we cannot do without.

For example, stealing food from a supermarket is a criminal act to be condemned because it

violates civil law. The act of stealing is wrong, and we are certain of this, but our view might

change if the thief were an unemployed parent trying to support their family.

Therefore, motivation is the driving force behind action, and this makes a real difference in

our daily life.

Hence, I would like to give an honest piece of advice to future psychology students and

professionals.

People do not need to be helped; they need to be accompanied.

Let me explain what I mean.

Undoubtedly, helping people is a virtuous, praiseworthy, and impeccable act. However, I

invite you to put yourselves in the shoes of someone who is suffering and, as a result, can

do nothing but suffer.

And listen to me again:

"Get help!"

"If you behave like this, I can't help you, and in the end, you will lose out and so will I."

Paradoxically, despite the benevolent attitude, the other person would feel under pressure to meet the needs of the one trying to help, that is, the person who should be supported.

Therefore, the next time you declare your willingness to help others, keep in mind these

questions: What is your motivation? Are you trying to help the other because you genuinely want to help them, or because you can't tolerate their suffering?

And listen to me again: what is your motivation? Are you trying to help the other because you genuinely want to help them, or because you can't tolerate their suffering?

The answer can vary, but remember to experience emotions, whether yours or of others, live

them fully, care for them, and express them with your body and heart.