It seems to be for most people. Cooperative behavior allowed our ancestors to survive under harsh conditions, and it still serves a purpose in a hi...

Altruism can be viewed as both. In some sense, altruists put others’ interests ahead of their own—but giving to others often feels good and can res...

Even when people don’t expect recognition or reward for a good deed, they often feel energized and happy afterward—a sensation sometimes called a "...

Many species benefit when individuals put service to the larger group ahead of their own personal interest. A variety of animals, from rats to bono...

Altruism isn’t always a strictly warm-and-fuzzy experience. Altruistic punishment is a term for a costly act that punishes someone in order to bene...

Even young children feel good about sharing , and to some extent, altruistic tendencies may be built-in for most people. Many altruistic acts are r...

Neurological, cultural, and other kinds of factors may cause some people to be more altruistic than others. So-called “extreme altruists” appear to...

Close relatives (such as parents and siblings) share many more of a person’s genes than others do. According to evolutionary theory, an interest in...