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Searching for meaning is associated with costly prosociality
Brodie C Dakin1, Simon M Laham1, Nicholas Poh-Jie Tan1
1Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Seeking meaning in life motivates costly prosocial behaviors for others
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Positive Psychology
Background:
- Research on meaning in life has primarily focused on personal well-being.
- The link between meaning-seeking and prosocial behavior benefiting others is underexplored.
- Existing literature often associates meaning-seeking with lower personal well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between meaning-seeking and costly prosocial behaviors.
- To differentiate the role of meaning-seeking versus happiness-seeking in prosociality.
- To examine the association between meaning-seeking and high-cost versus low-cost prosocial actions.
Main Methods:
- Five cross-sectional studies were conducted with a total of 1,150 participants (N = 780 for Studies 1-4; N = 370 for Study 5).
- Participants' meaning-seeking tendencies and motivation for prosocial behaviors were assessed.
- Study 5 utilized a pre-registered design to examine recent prosocial behavior.
Main Results:
- Meaning-seeking positively correlated with motivation for costly prosocial behaviors.
- Meaning-seeking is distinct from happiness-seeking in its association with prosociality.
- Meaning-seeking showed a stronger link with high-cost prosocial behaviors compared to low-cost ones.
Conclusions:
- The search for meaning, rather than happiness, appears to be a significant motivator for altruistic tendencies.
- Perceived meaningfulness of behaviors enhances motivation for costly prosocial actions.
- Findings suggest meaning-seeking plays a crucial role in promoting altruism.
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