Can altruism make us happy?

Altruism, the act of selflessly helping others, has long been associated with happiness and well-being. Numerous studies have explored this connection, and the findings consistently demonstrate that engaging in altruistic behaviour can lead to increased happiness and life satisfaction.

One of the studies on this topic was conducted by Brickman et al. (1978), which compared the happiness levels of lottery winners and paraplegic accident victims. Surprisingly, the results showed no significant difference in their ability to enjoy everyday pleasures, suggesting that material wealth alone does not guarantee happiness. This study challenged the common assumption that acquiring more possessions or achieving financial success is the key to happiness.

Researchers have found that helping others triggers the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like oxytocin and serotonin in the brain, leading to a sense of reward and satisfaction. In a study published in the journal Science, Dunn et al. (2008) demonstrated that individuals who spent money on others reported higher levels of happiness compared to those who spent money on themselves.

Moreover, the emotional rewards of altruism seem to be ingrained in human nature from an early age. Aknin et al. (2012) observed that toddlers younger than two years old who gave away treats were happier than those who received treats. This suggests that the happiness-inducing effects of generosity are deeply rooted in our evolutionary history.

Interestingly, the emotional benefits of altruism are amplified when the act of giving involves personal sacrifice or face-to-face interactions. "Costly giving," where individuals give away something that belongs to them, appears to be more rewarding than non-costly giving. This phenomenon may be linked to the intrinsic motivation and sense of purpose derived from making a meaningful sacrifice.

Additionally, face-to-face interactions during altruistic acts seem to produce greater emotional rewards than virtual or anonymous service. This aligns with our evolutionary history, where face-to-face interactions were the norm in small, close-knit communities.

It is important to note that not all forms of service or activism are equally effective in promoting happiness. While political activism can be a noble pursuit, it often involves a win-lose mentality, where one side's victory is another's defeat. This can breed feelings of anger, contempt, and disappointment, which can negatively impact mental health and well-being. In contrast, altruistic acts focused on directly helping others, such as volunteering or performing acts of kindness, tend to foster more positive emotions and a sense of purpose, ultimately contributing to greater happiness.

The connection between altruism and happiness is well-established by numerous psychological studies. Engaging in selfless acts of kindness and generosity can trigger the release of feel-good neurotransmitters, leading to increased happiness and life satisfaction. The emotional rewards of altruism are amplified when the act involves personal sacrifice or face-to-face interactions.

References:

Brickman, P., Coates, D., & Janoff-Bulman, R. (1978). Lottery winners and accident victims: Is happiness relative?. Journal of personality and social psychology, 36(8), 917-927.

Zaki, J., & Mitchell, J. P. (2011). Equitable decision making is associated with neural markers of intrinsic value. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(49), 19761-19766.

Dunn, E. W., Aknin, L. B., & Norton, M. I. (2008). Spending money on others promotes happiness. Science, 319(5870), 1687-1688.

Aknin, L. B., Hamlin, J. K., & Dunn, E. W. (2012). Giving leads to happiness in young children. PLoS one, 7(6), e39211.Aknin, L. B., Dunn, E. W., Whillans, A. V., Grant, A. M., & Norton, M. I. (2013). Making a difference matters: Impact unlocks the emotional benefits of prosocial spending. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 88, 90-95.

Weinstein, N., & Ryan, R. M. (2010). When helping helps: Autonomous motivation for prosocial behavior and its influence on well-being for the helper and recipient. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(2), 222-244.

Brooks, A. C. (2019). Love your enemies: How decent people can save America from the culture of contempt. HarperCollins.