Selfish or Selfless: Egoism and Altruism Test

Answer the questions below as honestly as you can. Like any psychological test, this test is not perfect, but it can give you a good idea of your tendencies. Often, we don’t realize that we may come across as egoistic or selfish, and answering this type of question can be a real eye-opener.

On the other hand, some people may appear perfectly altruistic, but in reality, they may be doing it for their own reasons, such as a desire to be liked, admired, or respected. The important thing is to answer according to what you usually do, not according to what you think you should do. You need to answer all the questions to get your result.

You often put your own needs first, even when someone else clearly needs help.
true
false

If someone needs help and you can reasonably help, you usually do.
true
false

You are willing to give up some of your time to help someone who needs it.
true
false

Whenever you see someone in distress, you try to comfort them or look for ways to help them.
true
false

You enjoy pleasing yourself more than pleasing others.
true
false

It is important to you to be useful to other people.
true
false

When someone close to you needs support, you usually make time for them.
true
false

Going out of your way for others doesn’t feel natural to you.
true
false

You help others without expecting a reward or recognition.
true
false

You are reluctant to help if it means giving up some of your own time or convenience.
true
false

Generally, you don’t rush to help others; you prefer to let them deal with their own problems.
true
false

If helping someone is inconvenient, you usually prefer not to get involved.
true
false

People who know you would probably describe you as someone who is eager to help.
true
false

You usually think about your own interests before considering what other people may need.
true
false

You are willing to share your time, knowledge, or resources when someone genuinely needs them.
true
false

Generally, you don’t go out of your way for other people.
true
false

When someone has a problem, you try to help even if there is nothing in it for you.
true
false

You use your free time only for your own leisure pursuits.
true
false

If helping someone brings you no immediate benefit, you usually don’t see much reason to do it.
true
false

You sometimes do things for others simply because you know it will make their life easier.
true
false

GET RESULTS

Understanding Your Result

Score 0-5
Strong egoistic tendencies.

You tend to put your own interests first and may be reluctant to spend your time or energy helping others when there is little benefit to you.

Score 6-8
More egoistic than altruistic.

You are willing to help in some situations, but your own needs and interests usually come first.

Score 9-11
Balance between egoism and altruism.

You seem to have a fairly balanced approach. You can care about other people’s needs without completely forgetting your own.

Score 12-14
More altruistic than egoistic.

You tend to care about other people and are usually willing to give some of your time or effort to help them.

Score 15-20
Strong altruistic tendencies.

Helping others seems to come naturally to you. You are willing to give your time, attention, or effort even when you don’t expect anything in return. Just remember that being altruistic doesn’t mean that your own needs should never matter.

You may also like this empathy test.