Does generosity beget generosity? And does experiencing generosity of others make you more generous?
A bright bubble was burst recently by a study conducted by the Economics department of the Mumbai University when it concluded that it may not be so.
People in the model villages of Ralegaon Siddhi and Hiware Bazaar- led by Anna Hazare and Popatrao Pawar- were studied for their behaviour through experimental games and exercises. These villages have transformed from regular, drought-ridden poor hamlets of the ‘70 to models of co-operative success.
According to economic theory, people are usually self-involved. But prolonged campaigns of cooperativeness can make people more pro-social. These villages have been studies for people from all over the world and have received many awards for successful development.
However, the present experiment showed that while people in these villages had lived through the benefits of co-operative living, they showed a trend of contributing less to the community pool of resources (evidenced in the games they played in this experiment), especially when they had the chance to do so anonymously. The study concluded that a history of experience may not yet produce ‘unconditional cooperation’ in an individual’s value system. To produce results, there had to be a system of monitoring and punishment in place.
That’s sad news.
But then, it’s easy to advise someone else to be generous but we may find very strong reasons not to be so ourselves. How much of our income or time, for instance, do we contribute to public good? How much is ‘enough’ before we start giving to society at large? And do we want at least a ‘reward’ of recognition?
Personal wealth or comfort may not have so much to do with this. A field study of altruistic behaviour in the Netherlands- a wealthy nation- showed that only 5.7% of people under this game-based exercise, donated money that they won as a reward. Here again, the researcher observed, that anonymity of giving, lowered the generosity.
Some religions have charity embedded in their learning and practices. It can be easily observed that people of those religions always feel obliged- and delivered- when they give.
To give is to believe in abundance- that you will not be poorer without that money or time or whatever resource. And to believe in abundance and to live with that feeling is a boon in itself.
Judith Orloff, a psychiatrist, writer and blogger writes, “Generosity is a key element of emotional health and abundance. Generosity accelerates the free flow of everything positive in your life. Of course, when it comes to finances, a good job, smart investments and saving wisely are important. But beyond these essentials, the secret is to be generous, whatever your net worth.
Generosity is an expansive energy. You receive as you give. But you have to expend energy to get energy. Electricity happens from rubbing two wires together. Stinginess is constrictive. If you're on the cheap side, don't worry. But wake up! Realize it's a huge drawback; take contrary action. How? If someone gives you a nickel, give them a dime. Gradually, try to let go of the tit-for-tat mentality, a small-minded approach that sabotages abundance. Be the bigger person -- that's generosity. Also, help people out. Charities, tithing, donations. Give what you can; it doesn't have to be a lot. Feel the growing sense of abundance it produces, an energy which circulates far and wide. It'll find its way back to you. Maybe you'll win a jackpot, or perhaps you'll just feel better about yourself. However generosity plays out, you can't lose.”
So let us start or increase whatever we were doing so far. And not underestimate the giving of time. Maybe I’ll tip that good waiter a bit more and spend a few more minutes listening to my old neighbour’s stories. I will pop more notes into those donation boxes at stores where I shop and renew all the student support charities that fell through because the organisation in question never got back.
I wish you a great year ahead of generosity and abundance. Let us give some more.
A bright bubble was burst recently by a study conducted by the Economics department of the Mumbai University when it concluded that it may not be so.
People in the model villages of Ralegaon Siddhi and Hiware Bazaar- led by Anna Hazare and Popatrao Pawar- were studied for their behaviour through experimental games and exercises. These villages have transformed from regular, drought-ridden poor hamlets of the ‘70 to models of co-operative success.
According to economic theory, people are usually self-involved. But prolonged campaigns of cooperativeness can make people more pro-social. These villages have been studies for people from all over the world and have received many awards for successful development.
However, the present experiment showed that while people in these villages had lived through the benefits of co-operative living, they showed a trend of contributing less to the community pool of resources (evidenced in the games they played in this experiment), especially when they had the chance to do so anonymously. The study concluded that a history of experience may not yet produce ‘unconditional cooperation’ in an individual’s value system. To produce results, there had to be a system of monitoring and punishment in place.
That’s sad news.
But then, it’s easy to advise someone else to be generous but we may find very strong reasons not to be so ourselves. How much of our income or time, for instance, do we contribute to public good? How much is ‘enough’ before we start giving to society at large? And do we want at least a ‘reward’ of recognition?
Personal wealth or comfort may not have so much to do with this. A field study of altruistic behaviour in the Netherlands- a wealthy nation- showed that only 5.7% of people under this game-based exercise, donated money that they won as a reward. Here again, the researcher observed, that anonymity of giving, lowered the generosity.
Some religions have charity embedded in their learning and practices. It can be easily observed that people of those religions always feel obliged- and delivered- when they give.
To give is to believe in abundance- that you will not be poorer without that money or time or whatever resource. And to believe in abundance and to live with that feeling is a boon in itself.
Judith Orloff, a psychiatrist, writer and blogger writes, “Generosity is a key element of emotional health and abundance. Generosity accelerates the free flow of everything positive in your life. Of course, when it comes to finances, a good job, smart investments and saving wisely are important. But beyond these essentials, the secret is to be generous, whatever your net worth.
Generosity is an expansive energy. You receive as you give. But you have to expend energy to get energy. Electricity happens from rubbing two wires together. Stinginess is constrictive. If you're on the cheap side, don't worry. But wake up! Realize it's a huge drawback; take contrary action. How? If someone gives you a nickel, give them a dime. Gradually, try to let go of the tit-for-tat mentality, a small-minded approach that sabotages abundance. Be the bigger person -- that's generosity. Also, help people out. Charities, tithing, donations. Give what you can; it doesn't have to be a lot. Feel the growing sense of abundance it produces, an energy which circulates far and wide. It'll find its way back to you. Maybe you'll win a jackpot, or perhaps you'll just feel better about yourself. However generosity plays out, you can't lose.”
So let us start or increase whatever we were doing so far. And not underestimate the giving of time. Maybe I’ll tip that good waiter a bit more and spend a few more minutes listening to my old neighbour’s stories. I will pop more notes into those donation boxes at stores where I shop and renew all the student support charities that fell through because the organisation in question never got back.
I wish you a great year ahead of generosity and abundance. Let us give some more.
response via email:
ReplyDeleteTo be generous requires patience and the mindset of giving.In an era where instant results are sought, long term orientation is passe.
Many display generosity by creating NGOs. performing CSR activities building schools and colleges ostensibly to give back to society. The bottom line however is that people eye commercial gains from ventures.
generosity lies not only in giving money to people and to charity. Generosity also lies in the ability to be graceful in victory, magnanimous in defeat,to forgive and to move on,to impart learning and value, to rise above petty issues and to earn the love and respect of people.
They say money is relative- the more money you have the more relatives you have- material generosity is therefore essentially short term - generosity of the mind is more long lasting
let us therefore be generous and magnanimous in our dealings with people
nandu warrier
There is a story about Delta 15, a flight that made an unscheduled landing at Gander on 09/11 and how the people of Gander cared for the unexpected visitors. In return the visitors created a trust to provide college scholarships for high schools students of Gander.
ReplyDeleteSounds very good and impressive.
However, my take is that usually generosity in the corporate does not beget generosity. This is mainly due to the selfish nature of humans in the stiff competition of the corporate world. Additionally, we humans love to create heroes and love even more to tear them apart.
Yet I believe that one must take the more magnanimous route and display generosity from the heart and mind. It works wonders.
Yes Ajay your last paragraph puts it very well. I don't think generosity can be thought of and executed. It is an attitude, an attribute which is quite intrinsic to an individual. I often wonder if it can be learnt.
ReplyDeleteNandu, Ajay, Nirupama, completely agree. Ajay, wrt to your statement on generosity in the corporate workplace, I must share an experience. I remember saying exactly this to a senior executive- how can you want to help a junior who is not humble, acts like an over smart, know-it-all? I was humbled by his answer. He said, "My job in this position is to share with him what I think I have learnt and can benefit him. It is his job to take or discard it. I mustn't hesitate from doing my job just because he may or may not do his." I know that in the work place it is easier said than done but I am trying to learn from this attitude. Interestingly, once you make the effort to practise it, there are intangible returns.
ReplyDelete