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Is there a nexus between pro-social behavior and well-being? Correlational evidence

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  • Christian Koch

    (University of Vienna)

Abstract

Is there a connection between pro-social behavior and well-being? This question has long been of interest, with Aristotle famously suggesting a nexus between virtues and well-being. To delve into this relationship, I conducted an extensive study encompassing multiple classical economic games and nearly 100 well-being questions. My findings confirm that different patterns of pro-sociality are robustly correlated with each other. On top, I find reliable correlations between well-being and pro-social behavior, as well as certain forms of punishment. In terms of underlying explanations, I observe that pro-sociality is particularly associated with a form of long-term well-being known as eudaimonia, suggesting that pro-social behavior plays a fundamental role in people perceiving their life as meaningful.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Koch, 2024. "Is there a nexus between pro-social behavior and well-being? Correlational evidence," Journal of the Economic Science Association, Springer;Economic Science Association, vol. 10(2), pages 279-293, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jesaex:v:10:y:2024:i:2:d:10.1007_s40881-023-00156-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s40881-023-00156-0
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Cooperation; Well-being; Happiness; Eudaimonia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles

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