Prosocial behavior increases well-being and vitality even without contact with the beneficiary: Causal and behavioral evidence
Journal article
Martela, Frank and Ryan, Richard Michael. (2016). Prosocial behavior increases well-being and vitality even without contact with the beneficiary: Causal and behavioral evidence. Motivation and Emotion. 40(3), pp. 351 - 357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-016-9552-z
Authors | Martela, Frank and Ryan, Richard Michael |
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Abstract | A number of studies have shown that prosocial behavior is associated with enhanced well-being, but most prior experimental studies have involved actual or potential face-to-face contact with the beneficiary. To establish that it is prosocial behavior itself, and not only an increased sense of social relatedness to the recipient that improves well-being, participants (n = 76) were invited to play a simple computer game, where half were made aware of a chance to have an anonymous prosocial impact through gameplay. As compared to the control condition, this group experienced more positive affect, meaningfulness and marginally more vitality. Going beyond self-reported outcomes, they also demonstrated better post-game performance on a subsequent Stroop task, providing behavioral evidence for the positive effects of prosocial behavior. Also supported was the hypothesis that these positive effects of prosocial behavior on well-being were mediated by subjectively assessed autonomy and competence need satisfactions. |
Keywords | Prosocial behavior; Prosocial giving; Prosocial impact; Well-being; Self-determination theory |
Year | 2016 |
Journal | Motivation and Emotion |
Journal citation | 40 (3), pp. 351 - 357 |
Publisher | Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers |
ISSN | 1573-6644 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-016-9552-z |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-84961933278 |
Page range | 351 - 357 |
Research Group | Institute for Positive Psychology and Education |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Controlled |
Place of publication | United States |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/85762/prosocial-behavior-increases-well-being-and-vitality-even-without-contact-with-the-beneficiary-causal-and-behavioral-evidence
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