The behaviors and attitudes of individuals are shaped significantly by their environmental and social circumstances. In contrasting fishing communities, those engaged in ocean fishing developed higher levels of trust and generosity due to the necessity of collaboration for survival. In contrast, lake fishermen, who operate independently in a competitive environment, became less trusting and more selfish. This highlights that community dynamics and interpersonal relationships are influenced by the nature of one's work and the surrounding environment, fostering either a spirit of cooperation or a mindset of competition.
Some people think they need to be ruthless and selfish to thrive and survive in life. The theories of Charles Darwin are often wrongly interpreted to support this view that being competitive is the key to happiness and success. It isn’t.
Dr Laurie Santos and Dr Jamil Zaki find that there are plenty of examples in the animal kingdom and human world where cooperation, kindness and compassion prove to be the winning strategy.
Jamil's book Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness is out now.
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