Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Evolutionary Psychology01:20

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...
Biodiversity and Human Values01:24

Biodiversity and Human Values

Human civilization relies on biodiversity in many ways. Sudden changes in species biodiversity result in environmental changes that can modify weather patterns and therefore human civilizations.
Humanistic Psychology01:24

Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the deterministic and pessimistic nature of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. While behaviorism focused on observable behaviors influenced by the environment and psychoanalysis delved into unconscious motivations, both theories suggested that human actions lacked free will. In contrast, humanistic psychology offers a perspective that emphasizes the innate potential for goodness and growth within every individual.
This approach...
Impact of Individuals on Individuals01:30

Impact of Individuals on Individuals

Human behavior is intricately shaped by social influences that arise from interactions with others in diverse contexts. These influences not only mold beliefs and attitudes but also drive the regulation of behaviors through both direct communication and observational learning. The study of these processes falls within the domain of social psychology, which seeks to understand how individuals are affected by and affect those around them.Mechanisms of Social InfluenceDirect social influence...
Scientific Nature of Social Psychology01:30

Scientific Nature of Social Psychology

Social psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Unlike common sense, which relies on anecdotal experiences and intuition, social psychology employs systematic research and empirical methods to ensure objectivity and reliability. This distinction is fundamental in distinguishing scientifically supported findings from mere speculation.Four fundamental scientific values guide a structured approach to research in...
Defining Social Psychology01:09

Defining Social Psychology

Social psychology investigates how the presence and actions of others influence individual behavior, cognition, and emotion. Examining the social environment's impact provides a scientific framework for understanding how individuals perceive others and are, in turn, influenced by them. This field seeks to uncover the underlying principles guiding social interactions, exploring phenomena such as conformity, obedience, and prosocial behavior.Core Themes in Social PsychologyOne central focus of...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Corporate Profits and the Health of Americans.

Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Harmful Marketing: An Overlooked Social Determinant of Health.

Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research·2025
Same author

The Dismal State of Federal Funding for Experimental Evaluations of Interventions to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Perspectives on behavior science·2023
Same author

Prevention Science and Health Equity: A Comprehensive Framework for Preventing Health Inequities and Disparities Associated with Race, Ethnicity, and Social Class.

Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research·2023
Same author

The Group Nurturance Inventory - initial psychometric evaluation using Rasch and factor analysis.

BMC public health·2021
Same author

Mediators of Effects of Cooperative Learning on Prosocial Behavior in Middle School.

International journal of applied positive psychology·2020
Same journal

The Democracy Effect: a weights-based estimation strategy.

Journal of economic behavior & organization·2025
Same journal

Online health information seeking behavior, healthcare access, and health status during exceptional times.

Journal of economic behavior & organization·2024
Same journal

Information avoidance: Self-image concerns, inattention, and ideology.

Journal of economic behavior & organization·2023
Same journal

The impact of Covid-19 containment lockdowns on MSMEs in India and resilience of exporting firms.

Journal of economic behavior & organization·2023
Same journal

No going back: COVID-19 disease threat perception and male migrants' willingness to return to work in India.

Journal of economic behavior & organization·2023
Same journal

The impact of corona populism: Empirical evidence from Austria and theory.

Journal of economic behavior & organization·2023
See all related articles

Related Experiment Videos

Integrating the Human Sciences to Evolve Effective Policies.

Anthony Biglan1, Christine Cody

  • 1Oregon Research Institute.

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
|July 9, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

An evolutionary perspective reveals that prosocial behavior, not self-interest, is key to human wellbeing. Environments fostering prosociality and reducing inequality are crucial for improving public health and development.

Keywords:
Antisocial behaviorEvolutionPolicyPovertyPreventionProsociality

Related Experiment Videos

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary psychology
  • Developmental science
  • Neuroscience
  • Prevention science

Background:

  • Economic models often emphasize self-interest, potentially overlooking evolutionary drivers of human behavior.
  • Human wellbeing is influenced by a dichotomy of prosocial versus antisocial behaviors.
  • Antisocial behaviors and mental health issues like depression are linked to adverse environmental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To contrast an evolutionary perspective on human development and wellbeing with the economic model of self-interest.
  • To explore the environmental factors influencing prosocial and antisocial behaviors.
  • To identify policy implications for enhancing population wellbeing based on evolutionary insights.

Main Methods:

  • Review of research integrating psychology, prevention science, and neuroscience.
  • Analysis of evidence from randomized trials of interventions.
  • Examination of the impact of socioeconomic factors like poverty and inequality.

Main Results:

  • Prosociality thrives in supportive environments that reinforce positive behaviors and minimize threats.
  • Antisocial behaviors and related problems are more prevalent in high-threat, conflict-ridden environments.
  • Family, school, and community interventions have proven effective in preventing problem behaviors and promoting prosociality.
  • Poverty and economic inequality are significant risk factors for problem behavior development.

Conclusions:

  • Reconciling economic models with an evolutionary perspective is essential for effective public policy.
  • Policies aimed at reducing poverty and inequality can significantly benefit youth development and overall wellbeing.
  • Creating environments that nurture prosociality is fundamental to advancing public health and human flourishing.