It has been suggested that training in altruistic behavior would last longer if the change were self-initiated. To compare methods of increasing altruistic behavior, 103 male college students were randomly assigned either to self-record their altruisitc behaviors, to read about helping and caring, or to a control group. All took the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and were peer-rated and rated themselves (pre- and posttest) on a measure of altruisitc attitudes. On six unobstrusive measures, self-recorders had significantly more altruistic behaviors than controls and marginally more than readers. Self-recorders gained significantly more on the altruistic attitudes measure (posttest versus pretest). Peer rating on the altruism scale was significantly correlated with mean daily amount of self-recorded altruistic behavior. The findings support the notion that self-recording is an effective means of increasing altruistic behavior. (JAC)