Abstract
We examine whether a positive feedback loop exists between spending money on others (i.e. prosocial spending) and happiness. Participants recalled a previous purchase made for either themselves or someone else and then reported their
happiness. Afterward, participants chose whether to spend a monetary windfall on themselves or someone else. Participants
assigned to recall a purchase made for someone else reported feeling significantly happier immediately after this recollection;
most importantly, the happier participants felt, the more likely they were to choose to spend a windfall on someone else in
the near future. Thus, by providing initial evidence for a positive feedback loop between prosocial spending and well-being,
these data offer one potential path to sustainable happiness: prosocial spending increases happiness which in turn encourages
prosocial spending.
happiness. Afterward, participants chose whether to spend a monetary windfall on themselves or someone else. Participants
assigned to recall a purchase made for someone else reported feeling significantly happier immediately after this recollection;
most importantly, the happier participants felt, the more likely they were to choose to spend a windfall on someone else in
the near future. Thus, by providing initial evidence for a positive feedback loop between prosocial spending and well-being,
these data offer one potential path to sustainable happiness: prosocial spending increases happiness which in turn encourages
prosocial spending.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10902-011-9267-5
- Authors
- Lara B. Aknin, Psychology Department, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall Vancouver, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Elizabeth W. Dunn, Psychology Department, University of British Columbia, 2136 West Mall Vancouver, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Michael I. Norton, Marketing Department, Harvard Business School, Soldiers Field, Boston, MA, USA
- Journal Journal of Happiness Studies
- Online ISSN 1573-7780
- Print ISSN 1389-4978