2016_Martela_Ryan_MotivEmot

Original Paper Overview

• Title: Prosocial behavior increases well-being and vitality even without contact with the beneficiary

• Authors: Frank Martela, Richard M. Ryan

• Published: 28 March 2016

• Journal: Motivation and Emotion

• Key Findings:

  • Prosocial behavior enhances well-being even without direct contact with beneficiaries.

  • Study involves anonymous prosocial impacts through gameplay.

Abstract Highlights

• Past studies link prosocial behavior to well-being but often involve face-to-face interactions.

• Current study involved a computer game, allowing half of participants to contribute anonymously through their gameplay.

• Participants in the prosocial group reported higher levels of positive affect, meaningfulness, and marginally more vitality compared to the control group.

• Objective performance was also measured using a Stroop task, showing better performance related to prosocial behavior.

• Well-being was partially mediated by the fulfillment of autonomy and competence needs.

Introduction

• Increasing empirical research connects prosocial behavior (e.g., helping others) with improved well-being.

• Different studies have explored prosocial behavior via cross-sectional and experimental designs, confirming positive outcomes and motivations.

• The necessity for a study examining the impact of prosocial behavior without direct contact with beneficiaries.

• Self-Determination Theory (SDT): focuses on autonomy, competence, and relatedness as critical psychological needs contributing to the positive effects of prosocial behavior.

Research Objectives

1. Measure Variety of Well-being Outcomes: Focus on positive/negative affect, vitality, meaning, and enjoyment.

2. Behavioral Outcomes: Move beyond self-reported measures to include performance tasks (Stroop task).

3. Investigate Mediators: Assess roles of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in the relationship between prosocial behavior and well-being.

Present Study Design

• Participants: 79 university students, 76 after technical issues.

• 64% female, ages around 20.4, diverse ethnic backgrounds.

• Experiment involved a controlled computer game where half knew their correct answers would donate rice to the UN, while others played without this knowledge.

Methodology

• Procedure:

  • Participants grouped in a lab, played a word game for 20 minutes.

  • Surveys to measure affect and well-being followed by the Stroop task to measure ego depletion.

• Measures:

  • Well-being: Positive/negative affect via SPANE, vitality from SVS, enjoyment through two specific items, meaningfulness from King and Hicks (2009).

  • Beneficence & Need Satisfaction: Assessed using a Beneficence Scale and Basic Need Satisfaction Scale, focusing on autonomy, competence, and relatedness.

  • Ego Depletion: Measured through Stroop task performance, contrasting results between congruent and incongruent trials.

Results Overview

• Initial analyses showed no significant gender differences.

• The beneficence group reported significant differences in positive affect, vitality, meaning, and need satisfaction.

• Stroop Task: Participants aware of their benevolent impact performed better, indicating reduced ego depletion.

• Significant Outcomes:

  • Benevolence condition showed higher positive affect (M = 18.77) compared to control (M = 15.93).

  • Higher vitality (M = 18.91 vs. 15.93) and meaning (M = 7.29 vs. 4.81) in benevolence condition.

  • Marginal significance in vitality difference (p = .053).

Mediation Analysis

• The mediation analysis confirmed that autonomy and competence were the most significant mediators of the relationship between prosocial behavior and positive well-being outcomes.

• The pathways from the condition to psychological needs all significant, with the direct effect on positive affect becoming insignificant, demonstrating full mediation.

Discussion and Implications

• Findings support the hypothesis that prosocial acts enhance personal well-being, vitality, and positivity, even anonymously.

• Emphasizes the role of autonomy and competence in enhancing well-being.

• Suggests the importance of recognizing how even non-costly prosocial behaviors can be beneficial for the giver.

• Encourages further investigation into the effects of more costly altruistic actions.

Conclusion

• This study reinforces the connection between prosocial behavior and improved well-being, suggesting that helping others is beneficial even when anonymity and lack of direct contact with beneficiaries exist.

• Methodological contributions allow for better understanding of prosocial impacts on well-being and energy maintenance.

• Opens avenues for future research to explore the evolutionary aspects of prosocial behavior.