Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures
Research has established that altruistic behavior increases happiness. We examined this phenomenon across cultures, differentiating between individualistic and collectivist cultures. We propose that cultural variations in the notion of altruism lead to different effects of helping on the helper’s ha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156661/full |
| _version_ | 1797796891248820224 |
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| author | Merav Weiss-Sidi Hila Riemer |
| author_facet | Merav Weiss-Sidi Hila Riemer |
| author_sort | Merav Weiss-Sidi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Research has established that altruistic behavior increases happiness. We examined this phenomenon across cultures, differentiating between individualistic and collectivist cultures. We propose that cultural variations in the notion of altruism lead to different effects of helping on the helper’s happiness. For individualists, altruism is linked to self-interest (“impure” altruism), and helping others results in increased happiness for the helper. For collectivists, altruism is focused on the recipient (“pure” altruism), and helping others is less likely to enhance the helper’s happiness. Four studies support our predictions. Study 1 measured the dispositions toward altruism among people with various cultural orientations. Consistent with our predictions, the findings showed that individualism (collectivism) was positively associated with tendencies reflecting more “impure” (“pure”) altruism. Two experimental studies then examined the moderating role of cultural orientation on the effect of spending money on oneself versus others (Study 2) or of doing a kind action (making tea for oneself versus others; Study 3). Both experimental studies demonstrated that altruistic behavior had a positive effect on happiness for individualists but not for collectivists. Finally, Study 4, which utilized data from the World Values Survey to examine the altruism–happiness link in various countries, displayed a stronger link between altruistic behavior and happiness in individualistic (vs. collectivist) cultures. Altogether, this research sheds light on cultural differences in the display of altruism, revealing different motivations for and consequences of altruistic behaviors. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:39:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d0cd9849709541d7b02583779dbfad3c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T03:39:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-d0cd9849709541d7b02583779dbfad3c2023-06-23T10:42:21ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782023-06-011410.3389/fpsyg.2023.11566611156661Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across culturesMerav Weiss-SidiHila RiemerResearch has established that altruistic behavior increases happiness. We examined this phenomenon across cultures, differentiating between individualistic and collectivist cultures. We propose that cultural variations in the notion of altruism lead to different effects of helping on the helper’s happiness. For individualists, altruism is linked to self-interest (“impure” altruism), and helping others results in increased happiness for the helper. For collectivists, altruism is focused on the recipient (“pure” altruism), and helping others is less likely to enhance the helper’s happiness. Four studies support our predictions. Study 1 measured the dispositions toward altruism among people with various cultural orientations. Consistent with our predictions, the findings showed that individualism (collectivism) was positively associated with tendencies reflecting more “impure” (“pure”) altruism. Two experimental studies then examined the moderating role of cultural orientation on the effect of spending money on oneself versus others (Study 2) or of doing a kind action (making tea for oneself versus others; Study 3). Both experimental studies demonstrated that altruistic behavior had a positive effect on happiness for individualists but not for collectivists. Finally, Study 4, which utilized data from the World Values Survey to examine the altruism–happiness link in various countries, displayed a stronger link between altruistic behavior and happiness in individualistic (vs. collectivist) cultures. Altogether, this research sheds light on cultural differences in the display of altruism, revealing different motivations for and consequences of altruistic behaviors.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156661/fullhelpaltruismhappinesscultureindividualism-collectivism |
| spellingShingle | Merav Weiss-Sidi Hila Riemer Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures Frontiers in Psychology help altruism happiness culture individualism-collectivism |
| title | Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures |
| title_full | Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures |
| title_fullStr | Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures |
| title_short | Help others—be happy? The effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures |
| title_sort | help others be happy the effect of altruistic behavior on happiness across cultures |
| topic | help altruism happiness culture individualism-collectivism |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1156661/full |
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