BRAIN WAVES
Indeed. Why do we sometimes avoid talking about the good deeds we’ve done? Common sense suggests we don’t want to seem boastful. However, a new study finds that might not be the case People were more willing to share their personal achievements than their acts of altruism, the study found. Across five experiments, people reported feeling worse about sharing their good deeds than they did about sharing their accomplishments. To make things even more confusing, people thought others would enjoy sharing their good deeds, even though they themselves didn’t. So what’s the deal—why are people so hesitant to share their altruistic impulses? The researchers found that participants weren't just worried about being immodest, otherwise, they would've felt equally icky about sharing their achievements. Instead, researchers pose a theory that sharing that sharing might rob the experience of its emotional reward. “It can no longer be seen as purely altruistic behavior,” the authors write, “and hence the warm glow disappears.” In other words, maybe we like to keep our warm and fuzzy deeds to ourselves because that keeps them, well, warm and fuzzy.
Power up. We’ve talked about the impact of status (how well-respected we are in the eyes of others) and how it can help us win friends, influence people, and get ahead in life. But a new study suggests it might be power, not status, that makes us more willing to help others. So what’s the difference between the two? Power has more to do with control over resources and other people’s behavior, while status is more about what other people think of you, regardless of what power you may have. In one experiment using the classic Dictator Game, participants primed with power were more anonymously generous than those primed with status, who were actually less fair and generous. Another part of the study looked at Twitter users and found that users who were rated as having higher-status were slower to speak up in support of others (i.e., through movements like #MeToo). “These findings suggest that elevated power is more conducive to prosocial behavior than elevated status,” the researchers concluded.
On purpose. Having a sense of purpose can be a buffer against the challenges we all face at various stages of life. Purpose can also boost our health and longevity. But maybe purpose isn’t something to be found — it’ maybe s something we can develop from within. Listen to learn more.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Have you ever struggled with impatience? Did a lack of patience cause you to miss out on something—or lead to an unexpected consequence in your life? If you have a story you'd be willing to share with the Hidden Brain audience, we'd love to hear it. Please record a 2–3 minute voice memo in a quiet place on your phone and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org with the subject line "Patience."
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
How to Harness Your Feelings: Do you feel like you control your emotions, or do your emotions control you? What scientists call “emotion regulation” turns out to be one of the most important life skills we can possess. It’s essential in dealing with setbacks, in balancing risks and rewards, and in maintaining successful relationships. This week, psychologist Ethan Kross explores the growing and fascinating science of managing our emotions. He explains why our feelings so often go astray, and shares insights into how to reel them back in.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
A’s Story: One morning, A woke up and began believing he was an undercover government agent. He quit his job, and soon after was arrested for reckless driving. But he wasn’t in jail for long, because his boss got A the psychiatric help he needed. That act of kindness was life-changing.
Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
MIND GAMES
If a shirt costs $20 more than a hat, and the combined cost of both the shirt and the hat is $50, how much does the hat cost?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
A hat and scarf cost a total of $1.10. The hat costs $1.00 more than the scarf. How much does the scarf cost?
The answer: It may seem like it costs 10 cents, but the answer is 5 cents. The hat costs a dollar more, so it would cost $1.05. $1.05 + $0.05 = $1.10.
A MOMENT OF JOY
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