ABSTRACT
Previous research has shown that self-respect (i.e., believing that one possesses the same basic rights as others) has a positive impact on concern of one’s own rights and the rights of others. Little is known about what sources feed self-respect and what role it plays in prosocial behaviour. In two studies (an experimental and a preregistered cross-sectional study), we hypothesized and found that both respect from the ingroup (i.e., one’s work group or close social environment) and respect from the system (e.g., the state and its institutions) predicted self-respect. Tests of indirect effects showed that self-respect was further associated with increased prosocial behaviour for the benefit of the ingroup and society as a whole. We discuss the role of both ingroup and system respect in forming self-respect and the potential of self-respect for the balance between egoism and altruism.