Catching Kindness

​Kindness is contagious! A recent study by Chancellor et al (2018) published in the Journal of Positive Psychology not only found increases in the wellbeing of employees at Coca Cola who conducted acts of kindness toward others on the job, but also found increases in the well-being of the observers of those who did the kind deeds.   
Those who observed by close proximity such prosocial actions were significantly more likely themselves to initiate similar behaviors toward others on the job, propagating generosity in the workplace.  Results confirmed the researchers hypothesis that “watching someone exhibit kindness produces more of a positive impact than watching someone receive kindness” (p.279).
 
Elevation, warmth, and happiness are experienced when we watch others acting with generosity and consideration towards others. We are inspired to behave in kind. Whether it has to do with “emotional contagion” or simply being reminded of our inherent prosocial make-up, the benefits of kindness to the giver, receiver and observer are positive and influential.

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On the theme of what we watch matters….
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The Constructive Journalism project  attempts to bring about a balance in journalism (countering a current negativity bias) by training media organizations to attend to positive and solution-focused elements of their reporting. The project supports a proactive approach, profiling not only what isn’t going well in the world, but also what helps society flourish, as informed by empirical research. Studies of constructive journalism have begun to show that such an emphasis can lead to increased social engagement, optimism, coping and social cohesion (Jackson 2016).
                                     Check it out at :    https://www.constructivejournalism.org/about/

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