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Prosocial behavior increases well-being and vitality even without contact with the beneficiary: Causal and behavioral evidence

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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.

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This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

    Frank Martela

  2. Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, QLD, Australia

    Richard M. Ryan

  3. University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA

    Richard M. Ryan

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  1. Frank Martela
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  2. Richard M. Ryan
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Correspondence to Frank Martela.

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Martela, F., Ryan, R.M. Prosocial behavior increases well-being and vitality even without contact with the beneficiary: Causal and behavioral evidence. Motiv Emot 40, 351–357 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-016-9552-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-016-9552-z

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