Why Contribution Matters
“A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.”
Jonathan Haidt- “We Are Part Bee”
Contribution matters when we see it as a part of our very makeup. Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt (2012) helps us to understand this. He says that it is easy to point out that as human beings, we are selfish creatures. At the same time, Haidt claims that we are also, as he calls it, groupish. According to Haidt (2012), “We humans have a dual nature—we are selfish primates who long to be a part of something larger and nobler than ourselves. We are 90 percent chimp and 10 percent bee” (In Sum section). What does it mean to be “part bee?” If we think about bees, they all work together in a hive; Haidt (2012) references this hive comparison, and calls bees “team players” (Ch. 9, Note 93). Just like bees, we too can contribute as team players. We can work towards broad common goals such as eliminating prejudice, promoting interfaith harmony, taking care of the earth, and so much more.
Personal Benefits
While contribution serves as a purpose to better a cause separate from your own, research shows a number of benefits that can apply to you as you make contribution a part of your life. Over 200 studies have found that well-being can increase when people contribute to others (Curry et al., 2018; Hui et al., 2020; Lu et al., 2019 ). Research has also demonstrated that contribution can be positively associated with better psychological functioning (Hui et al., 2020). Those who have the opportunity to contribute money to others may experience better heart health (Whillans et al., 2016). Also, donation in response to a natural disaster can lead to scientifically significant happiness (Ren & Ye, 2017). Helping others out can act as a stress buffer, too, leading to longevity (Poulin et al., 2013).
Here are some promising studies illustrating personal benefits of contribution:
In one study, researchers conducted a controlled longitudinal study in a workplace setting, where assigned “Givers” engaged in kind acts for assigned “Receivers” (Chancellor et al., 2017). Every day for 4 weeks, Givers had to perform five acts of kindness for Receivers. During these 4 weeks, Givers did not know the researchers’ reason behind the “acts of kindness”; they were merely carrying out their assignment. Some examples of activities Givers could engage in were “bringing someone a beverage,” “cheering up a coworker who seem[ed] to be having a bad day,” or “e-mailing a thank you note” (Chancellor et al., 2017, p. 510). Results showed that after contributing to their coworkers, Givers felt that they had significantly more self-efficacy and autonomy; in other words, they felt more competent and able to match their genuine values with their behaviors. In addition, Givers ended up feeling more life and job satisfaction. Fascinatingly, symptoms of depression also went down for Givers (Chancellor et al., 2017).
University students participated in an easy word-themed computer game (Martela & Ryan, 2016). In one group, participants were under the impression that the United Nations World Food Program would receive rice contributions dependent on the participant getting answers right in the game. This information about the charity was not given to the control group. Those who knew they were contributing to the food program through their accuracy in the game benefitted from greater well-being. Specifically, their participation in the game led to a significantly positive mood. These participants also reported that their act of contribution was a way for them to experience meaning. Not only this, but results showed that participants may have had more energy at the end of the game in contrast with the control group. The researchers of this experiment pointed out just how powerful contributions can be—the participants didn’t need to see or talk to the beneficiaries of the rice charity in order to receive their own personal benefits; they just needed to know that they were making a difference in others’ lives.