Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Life Through the Lens of Prosocial Behaviour: A Psychological Analysis
Keywords:
Ambedkar, prosocial behaviour, altruism, social justice, seva, empathy-altruismAbstract
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956) is widely recognized as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a transformative leader for Dalit emancipation. This paper interprets his life and contributions using contemporary frameworks of prosocial behaviour, which refers to voluntary actions aimed at benefiting others. Ambedkar’s activism, scholarship, and institution-building reflect six interrelated dimensions of prosociality: empathy-based action, duty without self-interest, commitment to collective welfare, service as moral obligation, equanimity across social groups, and personal sacrifice. The analysis integrates Batson’s empathy-altruism hypothesis, Penner’s multilevel model of prosocial behaviour, and Indian psychological constructs such as seva and paropakara. The argument advanced here is that Ambedkar represents a case of enduring, high-cost prosocial engagement under conditions of extreme personal adversity. The paper concludes by discussing implications for leadership studies, psychology of social justice, and value-based education in India.
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