After natural disasters, human beings are inherently altruistic, and want to help their fellow man, right? Well, it turns out …
altruism
The Selfish Reasons Behind Why We Give
Feeling good about our actions — not guilt or pity— motivates giving, according to the latest research.
Helping Others Helps You to Live Longer
Want a longer life? Volunteer to do good and you might benefit at least as much.
Violent Video Games Don’t Make Us Less Caring
Do violent video games make people more callous and less likely to help others? The latest study suggests not— but it likely won’t be the last word.
Feeling Stressed? Then You May Become More Helpful
How did your friend get you to babysit her kids for the weekend, or your sister talk you into hosting the next book club meeting? They probably asked when you were anxious about a work project or stressed about making an …
Reputation vs. Cash Rewards: How to Inspire Good Behavior
The mere suggestion that others are watching can put people on their best behavior, and a new study finds that concern for reputation is more powerful than cash payments in getting neighbors to do the right thing.
Can Giving Be Good for Getting Ahead?
Sharing and caring can be good for the soul, but what about the bottom line?
How Disasters and Trauma Can Affect Children’s Empathy
Do children become more kind and empathetic after a disaster— or does the experience make them more focus more on self-preservation?
How Disasters Bring Out Our Kindness
In disasters, it’s human nature to band together and be kind to one another in order to survive
Is Human Nature Fundamentally Selfish or Altruistic?
Human inclinations are not primarily selfish: kindness and altruism have been evolutionarily valued in mates, and even the youngest children often try to be helpful
Humility: A Quiet, Underappreciated Strength
Humility doesn’t top the list of popular virtues these days, but if you’re ever in need of help, a humble friend is more likely to be there for you than a prideful one, new research suggests.
Human Kindness Genes Withstand Threats and Fear
People who are hard-wired to show empathy and kindness do so even in the face of a threatening or untrustworthy world.
Rats Show Empathy and Free Their Trapped Companions
Rats may not be, well, such rats after all. In the first study of its kind, researchers show that rats engage in empathy-driven behavior, helping to free a trapped cagemate for no reward other than relieving its fellow rat’s …