Giving Tuesday: Why Giving Money to Others Makes us Happier

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

11/29/22 • 31 min

Money can buy you happiness - but not in the way we think. Giving money away - especially to help others - has been shown make us happier than spending on ourselves.

Social psychologist Lara Aknin explains the best ways to spend on loved ones, friends and even total strangers to get the biggest happiness bang for your buck.

And Harvard's s Josh Greene reveals how much money Happiness Lab listeners gave to charity via Giving Multiplier last year - and how many lives you saved.

To give to a charity of your choice and to some of the most effective charities around (and have your donation matched at a special rate) visit: https://givingmultiplier.org/invite/HAPPINESSLAB

The Happiness Lab will return in January 2023. See you then.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

11/29/22 • 31 min

4 Listeners

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos - Giving Tuesday: Why Giving Money to Others Makes us Happier

Transcript Summary

In this episode titled "Giving Tuesday: Why Giving Money to Others Makes us Happier," host and psychology professor Josh Green discusses the psychological universal of feeling good about giving. He shares the results of experiments conducted in South Africa, Uganda, and Vanuatu, which show similar patterns of positive emotions associated with giving. Interestingly, even children under the age of two exhibit positive emotions when giving. Prosocial spending, such as donating to charity or treating others, not only leads to higher levels of happiness but also improves team productivity and builds positive relationships in the workplace. The episode emphasizes that generosity creates ripple effects, inspiring more acts of giving and ultimately increasing overall happiness. Additionally, it highlights the different factors that enhance the happiness boost from giving, such as a higher sense of social connection, face-to-face interactions, and collaborative giving campaigns. The audience's contributions during the episode raised nearly half a million dollars for effective charities, particularly the Against Malaria Foundation, which can save lives. Overall, this episode presents compelling evidence that giving not only benefits others but also has a profound impact on personal happiness and well-being. If you want to learn more about the power of giving and how it can bring joy to your life, this episode of "The Happiness Lab" is a must-listen.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:15.435

Pushkin. I thought, you know, maybe twenty thousand dollars, thirty thousand dollars or something like that. This is Josh Green. You might remember him from a past episode of The Happiness Lab that we recorded last year. Josh is a psychology professor at Harvard. But he didn't come on the show just to talk about scientific studies. Josh wanted your money and my money, and wow, were we generous. It was clear early on that he's going over a quarter

Giving Tuesday: Why Giving Money to Others Makes us Happier Top Questions Answered

How does giving money to others affect our happiness?

Giving money to others has been found to boost happiness levels and create a positive feedback loop, encouraging further generosity.

What are the benefits of giving in the workplace?

Giving in the workplace can lead to higher levels of happiness for both the givers and the recipients, as well as increased productivity.

What are some ways to enhance the emotional rewards of giving?

Connecting with recipients and other donors, as well as giving in ways that allow for face-to-face interactions, can enhance the emotional rewards of giving.

Does giving to charities increase happiness?

Yes, giving to charities has a positive psychological effect and can increase well-being.

How does pro-social spending impact our well-being?

Pro-social spending, which includes donating to charities or treating others, has been shown to increase happiness levels and overall well-being.

Can giving money away increase happiness more than spending it on oneself?

Yes, research suggests that giving money away instead of spending it on oneself is a better way to increase happiness.

How can autonomy in giving enhance happiness?

Having the opportunity to make the decision to give and giving with a sense of choice and personal control can make giving more rewarding and increase happiness.