For information about the ADA, including the revised 2010 ADA regulations, please visit the Department's website www.ADA.gov; or, for answers to specific questions, call the toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (Voice) or 800-514-0383 (TTY).
Definition of altruism. 1  1 : unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others charitable acts motivated purely by altruism. 2  2 : behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species.
Though prosocial behavior can be confused with altruism, they are, in fact, two distinct concepts. Prosocial behavior refers to a pattern of activity, whereas, altruism is the motivation to help others out of pure regard for their needs rather than how the action will benefit oneself.