Why do people help strangers when disaster strikes?
keywords:
Boston Marathon / pro-social behavior / altruism / empathy / perspective taking
Why do people help strangers when disaster strikes?
Marc Fucarile, a 34-year old native of Stoneham MA, lost his right leg, nearly lost his left, was peppered with shrapnel, and suffered severe burns when the second bomb exploded at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Shortly thereafter, from his hospital bed, Marc described his situation saying, “There’s more good in the world than there is bad” (LaPierre, 2013). Given his circumstances, this is an extraordinary observation, one that inspires awe and admiration. His perspective tells... / more
On Mirror Neurons or Why it is Okay to be a Couch Potato
keywords:
emotions / empathy / mimicry / mirror neurons / posture
On Mirror Neurons or Why it is Okay to be a Couch Potato
Have you ever wondered why, when you see someone stretch out and yawn, suddenly, you start to feel drowsy and feel the urge to do the same? Or how about the tendency of people to copy each other’s postures? In social psychology this phenomenon is called postural mirroring. All this mimicking is the result of so-called mirror neurons in our brain. / more
Taking One for the Team, Even on Your Way Out of the Door
keywords:
empathy / organizational citizenship behavior / public good / social dilemmas
Taking One for the Team, Even on Your Way Out of the Door
Kaitlyn works Monday through Friday, 9-5. Sitting at her desk on Friday afternoon, Kaitlyn glances at the clock. It is 4:30 pm. The end of the workweek is a mere 30 minutes away. Visions of a relaxing weekend begin to creep in. And then, the phone rings. A distraught coworker is calling to ask for a big favor. His kids are really sick, he feels there’s no way he’s going to be able to prepare for an upcoming meeting on... / more
Altruism: Myth or Reality?
Altruism: Myth or Reality?
We humans devote much time and energy to helping others. We send money to famine victims halfway around the world—or to save whales. We stay up all night to comfort a friend with a broken relationship. We stop on a busy highway to help a stranded motorist change a flat tire. Why do we do these things? What is our motive? The dominant answer in Western thought is well expressed by the wise and witty Duke de la Rouchefoucauld, 2001: “The... / more