Researchers Ed O’Brien and Samantha Cassirer conducted several experiments to see how people’s taste in giving and receiving gifts changes over time. It turns out that when we please others, our joy lasts longer than when we receive gifts.
In the first experiment, people were asked to spend a small amount of money on themselves or another person every day for five days. While the joy level of those who always gave something was always at the same level, the joy of those who spent everything on themselves gradually decreased.
In the second experiment, people earned some money that they could keep for themselves or donate to charity. Once again, those who gave money to others experienced a slower decline in happiness levels than those who kept the money to themselves.
There are several reasons why giving brings us such positive emotions. First of all, when giving, we focus on the process, not the result. That’s why we perceive every moment we give a gift as unique. The second reason is that social bonds with other people are strengthened through giving, and the third is that the feeling of joy is maintained even if the action is repeated many times.
Source: Ferra
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