In January 2011 Simone Schnall, Jean Roper and Daniel Fessler – Universities of Cambridge and Plymouth (UK) and California – published a study which showed those witnessing good deeds experienced what is termed “elevation” were prepared to put twice as much effort in helping someone with a tedious task compared with those who had not seen any altruistic behaviour.
The dictionary definition of “elevation” is loftiness of thought and feeling.
The report concluded that kindness was effectively contagious and had “substantial implications… for the health and well-being of the populace”.
(For information about this study contact Simone Schnall: ss877@cam.ac.uk)
Articles in Psychological Science and in Get Healthy.
Data used in a Connection blog called Kindness is Contagious.
TonyLobl.com 