Altruim + Social Media

A common reason that people may not act in an emergency is: 

Diffusion of responsibility (everyone assumes someone else will act) 

Bystander effect (the presence of others reduces helping) 

Failure to interpret the situation as an emergency 

Not noticing the situation 

Not feeling personally responsible 

Feeling unsure what to do 

Fear of making the wrong decision 

Examples: 

A person collapses in a crowded mall and everyone assumes "someone else already called 911." 

Students see a classmate crying but interpret it as “none of my business.” 

People stare at each other to judge whether the situation is serious. 

Can empathy and compassion be cultivated? 

Yes. The slideshow says both can be developed. 

Through practice, meditation, prayer, or mindfulness. 

They are not fixed traits. 

Examples: 

Loving-kindness meditation increases empathy and compassion. 

Tibetan monks show strengthened brain circuits for empathy after thousands of hours. 

Practicing phrases like “May you be safe” helps grow compassion. 

Does kindness affect happiness?  

Yes — being kind increases happiness. 

Yes — happiness increases kindness too. (bidirectional) 

Brain activity supporting generosity overlaps with regions for happiness. 

Examples: 

Toddlers who share toys feel more joy. 

Adults doing 10 days of kind acts report increased well-being. 

People who donate to charity feel happier afterward. 

Samuel asks Patrice to help him with a project at their work place. Which response, by Patrice, best illustrates the approach to giving found among the most success people, as per Adam Grant’s Ted Talk? 

Patrice agrees to help Samuel, but offers assistance in a way that is time-bounded, efficient, and does not interfere with her own responsibilities. 

The correct response is one that: 

Focuses on helping Samuel achieve his goal 

Offers value without expecting payback 

Represents a 5-minute favor 

Builds positive, generous networks 

Example responses Patrice might give: 

“Sure! What part of the project would help you most right now?” 

“I’m happy to help — send me what you have and I’ll take a look.” 

“I know someone who can help with that. Want me to connect you two?” 

“I can give you 10 minutes to get you unstuck. What do you need?” 

Incorrect responses (for comparison): 

“What do I get in return?” (taker) 

“I’ll help only if you help me later.” (matcher) 

The general ability to take the perspective and feel the emotions of another person is… 

Empathy 

Ex. Feeling sad when you see a friend crying 

Understanding a coworkers frustration by imagining yourself in their situation 

What are the 2 general types of empathy? 

Affective empathy — mirroring someone’s emotions 

Cognitive empathy — perspective taking / understanding others’ thoughts 

examples 

Affective: Feeling anxious because your friend is anxious. 

Cognitive: Realizing your roommate snapped at you because they’re stressed, not because they’re angry at you. 

What is the guiding principle of effective altruism? 

Use your resources (time, money, skills) 

To maximize impact 

Using evidence and reason 

Examples 

Donating to malaria nets instead of an expensive local charity because nets save more lives per dollar. 

Choosing a job that allows you to donate 10% of income to high-impact causes. 

Solving neglected problems because they offer more additional impact. 

What is the second step in a model of an emergency? 

Interpret it as an emergency 

Examples 

Seeing someone fall and deciding whether it’s serious. 

Looking around to see how others react (“Is this really an emergency?”). 

Hearing a scream and deciding if it’s playful or dangerous. 

Which of the following best describes the results of self-compassion? 

More happiness, optimism, wisdom, curiosity, initiative 

More motivation to improve 

Less stress, rumination, procrastination 

Replaces harsh self-criticism with kindness 

Examples 

Instead of saying “I’m such an idiot,” you say “Everyone makes mistakes — I can fix this.” 

You bounce back faster after failing an exam. 

You feel more motivated to try again rather than giving up. 

Which of the following is most true about the relationship between doing altruistic acts and a sense of well-being? They are: 

It is bidirectional 

Doing altruistic acts increases happiness 

Being happy increases the likelihood of altruism 

Examples: 

Happy people donate more blood. 

People doing daily kindness tasks feel happier. 

Prosocial spending increases happiness in poor AND rich countries. 

Which of the following is NOT a feature of prosocial behavior? 

Prosocial behavior MUST benefit others 

Not prosocial =  

Actions motivated purely by selfish gain 

Behaviors that do not benefit someone else 

Hurting someone 

Neutral acts that don’t affect others 

Examples 

Not prosical =  

Doing a task just to get paid 

Ignoring someone in need 

Lying for your own benefit 

Prosocial = 

Donating money 

Holding the door 

Helping a stranger 

Which of the following scenarios illustrates empathy but not compassion nor altruism? 

Feeling someone’s emotion without wanting to help or taking action. 

Examples 

You see a coworker crying and feel sad for them but walk away. 

You hear a friend is stressed and think “That sucks” but do nothing. 

You feel anxious seeing someone struggle but avoid them. 

Which of the following statements are true about Lee Rowland’s findings (2019)? 

Doing kind acts increases happiness 

Kindness interventions reliably improve well-being 

Even small daily acts influence moods 

Kindness benefits both giver and receiver 

Ex. Smiling at strangers increrases pos emotions, doing everyday favors boots mood over week 

1. Performing acts of kindness for seven days increased happiness. 
The study found that all kindness conditions showed an increase in happiness compared to the control group (who showed a slight decrease). 

2. Kindness increased happiness across all treatment groups. 
Kindness toward strong ties, weak ties, oneself, and even observing acts of kindness all increased happiness relative to the no-acts control. 

3. There was no significant difference in happiness boosts between kindness to strong ties and kindness to weak ties. 
The hypothesis that strong-tie kindness would produce more happiness than weak-tie kindness was not supported. 

4. Kindness to oneself increased happiness just as much as kindness to others. 
There was no evidence that being kind to others leads to greater happiness than self-kindness. 

5. Observing kindness also increased happiness. 
Although the smallest increase among conditions, simply viewing kindness still boosted happiness more than doing nothing. 

6. Doing more kind acts predicted greater increases in happiness. 
The number of kind acts completed was positively correlated with increases in happiness (b = 0.29, p = .002). 

7. The control group did not experience increased happiness. 
Instead, they had a slight decrease in reported happiness (M = –0.05). 

8. Hypothesis 1 and Hypothesis 5 were supported; Hypotheses 2, 3, and 4 were not. 
Only “kindness boosts happiness” and “more kindness → more happiness” were confirmed. 

9. All forms of kindness tested were equally beneficial to happiness. 
No form of kindness proved superior — strong ties, weak ties, self-kindness, and observing kindness all raised happiness similarly. 

10. The study replicated previous research showing that acts of kindness improve well-being. 
The authors confirmed earlier meta-analytic findings that kindness has a positive effect on well-being (d = 0.28). 

11. The study found no evidence supporting the idea that kindness to strong ties is more emotionally rewarding than kindness to weak ties. 
This contradicts prior research where spending on strong ties produced greater happiness. 

12. Self-kindness increased happiness despite past mixed conclusions in prior studies. 
This study supports O’Connell et al. (2016) and conflicts with Nelson et al. (2016). 

13. Observing kindness may improve happiness simply by increasing awareness of positive social behavior. 
The authors suggest attunement to kindness is itself emotionally beneficial. 

Which of the following statements is most true about the difference between self-compassion and self-esteem? 

Self-esteem = evaluative (“I am good”) 

Self-compassion = nonjudgmental kindness to yourself 

Self-compassion helps during failure; self-esteem often drops during failure 

Self-compassion is more stable over time 

Examples: 

Self esteem = im smar 

Self compassion = even if i failed test, im still worthy of kindness 

Which of the following statements most closely aligns with Adam Grant’s research on professional success? 

Givers are either the most or least successful, Takers and matchers are in the middle, Givers fail when they give too much, take over other people's responsibilities at expense of own work, Givers succeed by creating networks of people who want to help them

Givers are the best and worst performers 

Takers and matchers show average levels of success 

Successful givers set boundaries 

Givers build large, supportive networks 

Helping others strategically (e.g., 5-minute favors) boosts long-term success 

Examples 

Over-givers burn out from taking on too much. 

Strategic givers (like Adam Rifkin) become highly successful due to strong networks. 

Generous people (givers) are more likely to end up at the top of professional success—but they are also overrepresented at the bottom. 
Because they either thrive when they give effectively or fail when they give too much without boundaries. 

2. Givers succeed because their generosity builds strong networks of trust, loyalty, and goodwill, which results in long-term professional benefits. 
Coworkers flock to givers’ projects, share credit, and support their ideas. 

3. Although takers may rise quickly, their success is often short-lived because people eventually recognize and punish selfish behavior. 
Colleagues sacrifice personal gain just to see justice served. 

4. Matchers tend to achieve moderate success because their help is transactional, balanced, and morally fair, but not inspiring. 
They sit in the middle of the success ladder. 

5. Successful givers know how to protect their time and avoid being exploited—they give help widely, efficiently, and without becoming doormats. 
They consolidate giving rather than scattering it constantly. 

6. A workplace full of givers is the most effective organizational environment, so managers should screen out takers to protect culture. 
The negative impact of one taker is 2–3 times more damaging than the positive effect of a giver. 

7. Grant argues that helping others often boosts personal motivation, fulfillment, and performance—kindness increases productivity. 

8. Hiring or encouraging givers alone is not enough; removing takers is the real key to building a healthy, high-trust culture. 

Why do matchers tend to be in the middle of the spectrum regarding organizational success? 

Matchers sit in the middle because they behave fairly and reciprocally, earning respect but not admiration. Their transactional “keeping score” approach prevents them from gaining the trust, goodwill, and network advantages that boost successful givers upward. 

They only give when others give 

They maintain balance, not generosity 

They don’t build strong networks like givers 

They also don’t sabotage themselves like over-givers 

Their relationships are transactional 

Examples 

Helping a coworker only if that coworker helped them before 

Keeping score (“I helped you last week, so now you owe me”) 

Not going above and beyond for others → fewer people willing to help them later 

Social Media 

According to Barry Schwartz, what is the “tyranny of choice?” 

The “tyranny of choice” is Barry Schwartz’s argument that having too many choices actually decreases our happiness, increases anxiety, and makes it harder to make decisions — the freedom of choice becomes a burden rather than a benefit. 

Too many choices make life harder not better 

Choice overload → feeling overwhelmed 

Anxiety → pulled in many directions 

Decision paralysis → unable to choose 

Regret → believing you made the wrong choice 

Lower satisfaction 

Examples -  

Standing in front of 40,000 items at a supermarket and feeling stressed. 

Trying to pick a movie from 6 streaming platforms and giving up. 

Not enrolling in a retirement plan because there are too many options. 

According to Cal Newport, which digital activities should we use? 

Any that align with our values, We should use devices with purpose and intention, Digital minimalism

Activities that support your core values and goals 

• Technology is a tool to enhance what you care about. 

• Example: Social connection → join a local Facebook group to organize meetups. 

• Example: Exercise → use an app to track runs or find running partners. 

• Activities that add meaningful, positive value to life 

• Use tech to build or create, not to consume passively. 

• Example: Writing projects, learning, creative hobbies online. 

• Activities with clear rules and boundaries 

• Prevent tech from dominating attention. 

• Example: Only log in to social media on a computer, block distracting feeds. 

• Activities that intentionally amplify positive experiences 

• Focus on supporting life goals, not avoiding discomfort. 

• Example: Video call a mentor or friend to strengthen relationships. 

• Activities chosen deliberately, not out of obligation or FOMO 

• Just because a tool exists doesn’t mean you must use it. 

• Example: Ignore new apps like TikTok if they don’t serve your priorities. 

 

Only a small number of carefully selected digital activities that: 

Strongly support your values 

Uniquely help you live the life you want (digital minilasm) 

Ex.  

Using YouTube only for workout videos (supports health). 

Using Instagram only to keep in touch with family. 

Avoiding TikTok if it doesn’t add meaningful value. 

according to Haidt and Rose-Stockwell, what is the problem with social networks? 

Online political discussions are experienced as angrier and less civil than those in real life, The problem may not be connectivity itself but rather the way social media turns so much communication into public performance, Social media encourages moral grandstanding where you can't see their face, Sociometer is how we think we are perceived by others and social media is putting it on display

Social networks: 

Amplify outrage and drama 

Spread misinformation 

Create echo chambers 

Damage mental health 

Encourage comparison and FOMO 

Examples 

Only seeing political content that matches your views. 

Becoming anxious from seeing friends having “more fun.” 

Getting pulled into anger or drama through algorithmic feeds. 

Digital minimal is best described as: 

A philosophy where you: 

Use only a few high-value digital tools 

Avoid anything that doesn’t support your core values 

Are intentional, not reactive, about technology 

Studies of choice suggest that there is an optimal amount of choice in a given situation. Which of the following scenarios best illustrates that amount? 

A scenario where a person has some choices—but not too many. 

Examples: 

Choosing from 5–10 menu items (not 100). 

Jam study: 6 jams → more purchases & higher satisfaction. 

Netflix showing 10 recommended movies instead of thousands. 

What are the biological consequences of high levels of digital device usage? 

Brain rewiring toward distraction 

Reduced ability to concentrate 

Brain regions tied to cognitive performance may shrink 

Addiction-like reward cycles 

Examples: 

Checking your phone hundreds of times because dopamine rewards train the brain. 

Being unable to sit still without stimulation. 

What does it mean to “satisfice” within our choices? 

To choose the first option that is “good enough” rather than the “best possible” option. 
Saves time, energy, and reduces stress. 

Examples: 

Buying the first pair of shoes that fit your needs instead of comparing 30 options. 

Picking a place to eat because it looks decent, not perfect. 

What is decision paralysis? 

When someone becomes so overwhelmed by choices that they don’t choose at all. 

Examples: 

Not choosing a retirement plan because there are too many. 

Browsing Netflix for 45 minutes and watching nothing. 

What is the effect of having more opportunity costs when making a decision? 

 

More opportunity costs → 

Less satisfaction 

More regret 

Feeling like you “lost” the options you didn’t choose 

More anxiety 

Example: 
Buying a phone and instantly thinking, “But maybe the other model would have been better…” 

Which of the following accurately describes the results of “The Jam Experiment”? 

More choices (24 jams) → more interest but fewer purchases 

Fewer choices (6 jams) → more purchases and greater satisfaction 

People with fewer options felt happier with their choice. 

Which of the following is not a good strategy for controlling your digital device use? 

Anything relying on willpower alone or quitting cold turkey

Examples of NOT good strategies: 

“Just try to be strong.” 

“Just don’t open your apps.” 

Keeping notifications on and hoping you won’t tap them. 

Tech is designed to overcome willpower. 

Which of the following is the best way to battle choice overload? 

Strategies include (ALL valid): 

Satisficing (choose “good enough”) 

Creating rules 

Limiting options 

Letting others recommend (ratings, reviews) 

Practicing gratitude 

Choosing when to choose 

Examples: 

Always ordering the same lunch. 

Only looking at the top-rated product on Amazon. 

Being grateful for what you chose to reduce regret. 

Which of the following is true about multitasking? 

Humans cannot multitask effectively. 

Multitasking reduces productivity. 

It leads to more errors and slower performance. 

Phone distractions make concentration worse. 

Examples: 

Doing homework while switching between TikTok and texts → slower, lower-quality work. 

Which of the following statements is most true regarding American’s use of social media? 

It has significantly increased since the early 2000s, Facebook has over 2 billion active users per month

Most Americans use social media constantly. 

Digital devices are checked hundreds of times a day. 

Use is habitual, automatic, and often excessive. 

It contributes to anxiety, loneliness, depression, and distraction. 

Which of the following statements might reflect somebody undergoing choice overload? 

Statements showing: 

Overwhelm 

Stress 

Inability to decide 

Frustration 

Regret 

Examples: 

“There are too many options—I don’t know what to pick.” 

“What if I choose the wrong one?” 

“I’ll just decide later…” 

“I looked at 30 options but still don’t feel good about any of them.”