Research on Generosity
categories:
It seems that selfish people would have more because of their selfishness, but it has been found that people who are inclusive, more giving, and are more other-ness oriented are offered higher (often paid) positions in the workplace, and in their communities.
The Study:
Generosity Pays: Selfish People Have Fewer Children and Earn Less Money
Mälardalen University, School of Education, Culture and Communication, Institutet för framtidsstudier, University of South Carolina, USA
A complete overview of the science behind generosity, from the roots of generosity, to the studies behind how generosity is socially contagious.
The Study:
The Science of Generosity
John Templeton Foundation by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley
This study uses MRI to study the neurological changes in the brain when one is giving to others. What they found was, the parts of the brain associated with happiness, light up when one gives, monetarily or with deeds, and creates a heightened sense of happiness for the giver.
The Study:
A neural link between generosity and happiness
University of Lübeck, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research, University of Zurich
Being the recipient of generosity or observing generosity has a positive impact on the recipient and/or observer, thus creating a desire to be generous themselves.
The Study:
The Social Contagion of Generosity
Department of Sociology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America, Department of Information Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
This study shows that generosity is coupled with lower stress rates. Lowered stress rates are found to have a significant impact on increased life expectancy age.
