Why Are People Kind?

Ever get a warm, fuzzy feeling while witnessing a simple act of kindness?  Research published in the US Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests even reading about kind acts can result in contagious kindness.

Positive News reports that things like giving up your seat on the bus to a stranger, makes the giver feel good. Kind acts done often enough become part of our identity, making us feel proud of who we are.

“Kindness is the social glue that connects individuals” notes the organization, Random Acts of Kindness. Volunteering or donating to an interesting cause can open up a new circle of connections.

Human brains are hardwired for empathy, say psychologists at the University of Virginia. So cheering up someone else makes us feel good too. And kindness is attractive — in a study of more than 10,000 people, kindness ranked above physical attractiveness when asked about preferences in a potential mate.

Need more reasons to be kind?