What triggers prosocial effort? A positive feedback loop between positive activities, kindness, and well-being

Abstract

Across two studies, we found evidence supporting a positive feedback loop between positive activities, kindness and well-being. In Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to one of four distinct positive activities (versus a neutral writing activity) before spending three weeks engaging in kind acts. We found that the positive activities served as triggers -that is, they predicted greater prosocial effort, which in turn predicted greater well-being immediately following the intervention and at a two-week follow-up. In Study 2, we explored the specific effects of a gratitude trigger, and extended the intervention period to six weeks. Although, we did not replicate the direct effect of the gratitude trigger on prosocial effort, people who wrote gratitude letters (versus writing about their week) reported relatively greater elevation, which predicted greater prosocial effort during the six weeks. In turn, replicating Study 1, greater effort predicted higher well-being immediately following the study.Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. (Scott Adams)

“I can't express my thanks enough”: The “gratitude cycle” in online communities

“…The findings highlight the cyclic nature of gratitude; gratitude functioned as moral barometer, motivator, and reinforcer (McCullough et al, ), evidenced by reports of a cascading effect of positive contagion (Fowler & Christakis, ). As in experimental settings, experiencing gratitude was reported to encourage future prosocial behavior among both beneficiaries and benefactors (McCullough et al, ), and among other community members through third‐party influence (Layous et al, ). Motives were reported as seemingly altruistic, akin to “gift giving” (Tinto & Ruthven, ).…”

“…Performing kind acts increases a person's happiness (McCullough et al, 2001), which in turn increases the amount of effort they put into prosocial behavior, including performing kind acts for others (Layous et al, 2017). Furthermore, when benefactors are thanked by beneficiaries of their kind acts, they are more willing to help those beneficiaries again, as they feel greater levels of social worth (Grant & Gino, 2010).…”

“…Gratitude can drive prosocial behavior, creating a cascading cycle of kind acts and further gratitude (Fowler & Christakis, 2010;Layous et al, 2017); those who benefit from kind acts are motivated to act kindly to others, who themselves become motivated to perform kind acts (Fowler & Christakis, 2010). The benefactor is also encouraged to perform future kind acts (McCullough et al, 2001).…”

“…This highlights that the “gratitude cycle” is more complex than a loop of kindness, indebtedness, and repayment and may involve multiple forward‐feeding mechanisms. Several studies support this view; movement within the cycle has a “cascade” or “ripple” effect (Fowler & Christakis, ; Layous et al, ).…”

“…Gratitude is a fundamental aspect of social interaction that positively influences emotional and social wellbeing (Bartlett & DeSteno, 2006;Layous, Nelson, Kurtz, & Lyubomirsky, 2017). Its social impact is particularly evident in online communities and it plays a crucial role in motivating participation (Yang, Li, & Huang, 2017).…”