Final answer:
The statement that psychological altruism maintains that at least some actions are motivated by instinctive benevolence is true. Altruistic behaviors may have complex motivations, including selfless helping of others and underlying genetic advantages.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychological altruism maintains that at least some of our actions are motivated by instinctive benevolence. This statement is true. Altruism is a concept that has been defined and redefined over time, especially in the realms of psychology, ethics, and evolutionary biology. The traditional sense of altruism involves the selfless helping of others without expecting any direct benefit in return. According to evolutionary game theory and various research findings, behaviors that appear to be altruistic might also have an underlying benefit for the individual, such as improving the chances of passing on one’s genes.
However, there is also the perspective that altruistic actions may stem from empathy, where one feels an emotional connection to others and is compelled to help them. Therefore, the motivation behind altruism might be complex and multi-faceted, including both selfless and indirectly 'selfish' components from an evolutionary standpoint. Notwithstanding the ongoing debate over whether pure altruism exists, psychological altruism as a concept considers that some actions can be motivated purely by the desire to benefit others, separate from one's own gain.