How we change what others think, feel, believe and do |
Random Acts of Kindness
Techniques > Happiness > Random Acts of Kindness Description | Discussion | See also
DescriptionBe surprisingly generous to strangers and maybe people you know too. Do things that surprise them and maybe restore their faith in human nature. Seek to create delight and wide smiles. Just a few of the things you can do:
DiscussionWhen you are unexpectedly kind to others, then perhaps after the initial shock (and realizing you are not asking for anything), they will be highly delighted. And if you are empathizing with them, then you will also experience a reflected pleasure. Other than the initial cost of creating pleasure in others, there is no further cost to you, and you can reflect warmly on the happiness you have caused on many future occasions. There are even more benefits to kindness. Fowler and Christakis (2010) also found that when you are kind to another person, through social contagion they are likely to be kind to others. So with a single act you can cause a ripple of kindness that spreads across the world. Within a group of people, that kindness is also likely to return to you by some other route. See also
James H. Fowler, and Nicholas A. Christakis. Cooperative behavior cascades in human social networks. PNAS, March 8, 2010 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0913149107 |
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| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings | |
Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories | |
Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help | |
More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes | |
Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate | |
| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links | |
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