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A neural link between generosity and happiness

Author

Listed:
  • Soyoung Q. Park

    (University of Lübeck)

  • Thorsten Kahnt

    (Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University)

  • Azade Dogan

    (Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research, University of Zurich)

  • Sabrina Strang

    (University of Lübeck)

  • Ernst Fehr

    (Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research, University of Zurich)

  • Philippe N. Tobler

    (Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research, University of Zurich)

Abstract

Generous behaviour is known to increase happiness, which could thereby motivate generosity. In this study, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging and a public pledge for future generosity to investigate the brain mechanisms that link generous behaviour with increases in happiness. Participants promised to spend money over the next 4 weeks either on others (experimental group) or on themselves (control group). Here, we report that, compared to controls, participants in the experimental group make more generous choices in an independent decision-making task and show stronger increases in self-reported happiness. Generous decisions engage the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) in the experimental more than in the control group and differentially modulate the connectivity between TPJ and ventral striatum. Importantly, striatal activity during generous decisions is directly related to changes in happiness. These results demonstrate that top–down control of striatal activity plays a fundamental role in linking commitment-induced generosity with happiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Soyoung Q. Park & Thorsten Kahnt & Azade Dogan & Sabrina Strang & Ernst Fehr & Philippe N. Tobler, 2017. "A neural link between generosity and happiness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15964
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15964
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    Cited by:

    1. Leonardo Becchetti & Massimo Cermelli, 2018. "Civil economy: definition and strategies for sustainable well-living," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 65(3), pages 329-357, September.
    2. Ureche Alexandru, 2024. "Financing The Social Enterprise: Sustainable Growth Through Sustainable Giving," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 2, pages 132-137, April.
    3. Alexander Soutschek & Marius Moisa & Christian C Ruff & Philippe N Tobler, 2020. "The right temporoparietal junction enables delay of gratification by allowing decision makers to focus on future events," PLOS Biology, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(8), pages 1-20, August.
    4. Junyi Chai, 2023. "Subjective Happiness in Behavioral Contracts," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(7), pages 2245-2260, October.
    5. Coby Morvinski, 2022. "The effect of unavailable donation opportunities on donation choice," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 45-60, March.
    6. Xiaoting Zheng & Jiayue Chen & Yipeng Li, 2021. "The association between charitable giving and happiness: Evidence from the Chinese General Social Survey," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 55(6), pages 2103-2138, December.
    7. Anand, Amitabh & Vessal, Saeedeh Rezeaee & Rathi, Kishore & Ameen, Nisreen, 2021. "Show me your mobile and I will tell you who you are: Forecasting consumer compassion and altruism behaviour through smartphone type and usage," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).

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