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Thursday, July 13, 2017

Happiness From Being Generous

What inspires humans to display acts of generosity? Economists, psychologists and philosophers have pondered this question for millennia. If one assumes that human behavior is primarily motivated by self-interest, it seems illogical to willingly sacrifice resources for others.

In an attempt to solve this paradox, some experts have theorized that giving satisfies a desire to boost one's standing in a group. Others have suggested it fosters tribal cooperation and cohesion — a key element in mammal survival. Yet another explanation is that we give only because we expect to receive something in return.

The real answer, a study suggested Tuesday, may be much simpler: Giving makes us happy.

Scientists conducted an experiment with 50 people at a lab in Zurich who reported on their own happiness levels after acts of generosity. Consistently, they indicated that giving was a feel-good experience.

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3 comments:

  1. It works for me. I love giving, that's why I do it every day.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I give more than I should. Is that even possible?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love giving and I love it when the car in front of me pays my bridge bill because it just means that people are passing it on. I always pay my bridge toll because I know sooner or later there is someone behind me that REALLY needs that money.

    ReplyDelete

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