Upstream reciprocity, or generosity, can be seen in children as young as four years of age. At age three, 80% of children do not want to share, but at age four, 60% of children are happy to share with others.
As early as 19 months of age, children start to show altruistic behaviors. The study reports even when a small child is hungry, they will give their snack to a stranger in need. Findings reveal not only do young children engage in altruistic behavior, but early social experiences can also help shape future altruistic behaviors.
Study investigates suffering-induced transformational experiences to help reveal what the meaning of life could actually be.
Imagination helps us act altruistically, a new study reports. When we see others in trouble, we imagine how we can help before acting. Researchers implicate the medial temporal lobe subsystem in guiding our prosocial behaviors.
Contemplating loving-kindness reduces anxiety while increasing happiness, empathy and feelings of social connection, a new study reports.
Researchers report altruistic motivations and behaviors can be changed with the help of mental training.
A baby's attention to fearful faces may predict their level of altruism as toddlers, a new study reports.
Researchers report those who enter into an altruistic act, such as donating a kidney to an anonymous recipient, are more sensitive to a stranger's fear and pain.
Contrary to popular belief, researchers report most people do not interfere when they witness someone abusing a stranger.
A new neuroimaging study reveals people who consider themselves to be egotistical have no increased activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex when they think about the distant future. By contrast, altruistic people have increased activity in this region when asked to consider the consequences of the distant future.
A new neuroimaging study of war veterans with TBI reveals some interesting insights into brain areas associated with altruism.
University of Oregon researchers report those who write online journals that note feelings of gratitude develop an increase in altruism.