Attributes of carnegie medalists performing acts of heroism and of the recipients of these acts

Abstract

The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission recognized 676 acts of heroism during the years 1989 through 1995. About 92% of the acts of heroism were performed by males, and about 60% of the recipients of the acts were males. A higher proportion of women rescued relatives or people they knew, and a higher proportion of males rescued people they did not know. Close to one in five rescue attempts by both male and female rescuers resulted in their deaths. Deaths were more likely to occur in rescuers of persons they knew than of those they did not know. Younger relatives were more likely to be rescued than older ones but, for the sample as a whole, age differences between rescuers and those rescued and between sexes in each group were slight. However, as might be expected in terms of ability and need, higher proportions of persons rescued (compared to rescuers) were among the very young and the old. Rescuers were working-class rural or small-town residents more often than would be expected from general population data. All of the data presented above is based on information concerning awards. Results may be influenced by variables affecting the likelihood of being nominated or, if nominated, receiving an award. A possible basis of altruism directed toward nonkin and even strangers is discussed.