On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti Why giving can feel so good
Dec 19, 2025
Join Jamil Zaki, a Stanford psychologist studying empathy and prosocial behavior, alongside Monica Whitham, a sociology professor focusing on social norms and generosity. They dive into the science behind the 'warm glow' of giving, revealing how generosity activates reward centers in the brain. Zaki explains how larger acts yield stronger feelings of happiness, while Whitham discusses the importance of intrinsic motivation over obligation in generosity. They also explore how small acts can lead to a ripple effect of kindness in communities.
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Giving Lights Up Reward Centers
- Giving activates the brain's reward centers (ventromedial prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens) similarly to receiving rewards.
- Jamil Zaki's MRI studies show generosity produces measurable dopamine-linked reward responses.
Measure Feelings To Predict Generosity
- Ask givers how they felt after giving to connect brain activity to emotion and predict generosity.
- Use self-report; Zaki found reported positive feelings track neural reward and predict who gives more.
Warm Glow Reveals Deep Interdependence
- The "warm glow" shows giving and receiving are interdependent, not purely selfless or selfish.
- Zaki argues this shared reward supports humans' hyper-cooperative nature across distances and generations.