5.4 Summary

In this unit you have examined the character strength of kindness and its many benefits.

In the next unit you explore hope and optimism, as you look at how positive psychology can be used to help you to fulfil your potential.

Now go to Unit 6: Hope and optimism, where you explore the fifth of our six principles.

References

Arnocky, S., Piché, T., Albert, G., Ouellette, D. & Barclay, P. (2017) 'Altruism predicts mating success in humans', British Journal of Psychology, 108(2), pp.416-435.

Eisenberg, N. & Fabes, R.A., (1990) 'Empathy: Conceptualization, measurement, and relation to prosocial behavior', Motivation and Emotion, 14(2), pp.131-149.

Fowler, J.H. & Christakis, N.A. (2010) 'Cooperative behavior cascades in human social networks', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(12), pp.5334-5338.

Otake, K., Shimai, S., Tanaka-Matsumi, J., Otsui, K. & Fredrickson, B.L. (2006) 'Happy people become happier through kindness: A counting kindnesses intervention', Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(3), pp.361-375.

Poulin, M.J. & Holman, E.A. (2013) 'Helping hands, healthy body? Oxytocin receptor gene and prosocial behavior interact to buffer the association between stress and physical health', Hormones and Behavior, 63(3), pp.510-517.

Raposa, E.B., Laws, H.B. & Ansell, E.B. (2016) 'Prosocial behavior mitigates the negative effects of stress in everyday life', Clinical Psychological Science, 4(4), pp.691-698.Trew, J.L. & Alden, L.E. (2015) 'Kindness reduces avoidance goals in socially anxious individuals', Motivation and Emotion, 39(6), pp.892-907.

Waters, E., Wippman, J. & Sroufe, L.A. (1979) 'Attachment, positive affect, and competence in the peer group: Two studies in construct validation', Child Development, pp.821-829.

Woods, S., Lambert, N., Brown, P., Fincham, F. & May, R. (2015) ‘“I’m so excited for you!” How an enthusiastic responding intervention enhances close relationships’, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 32(1), pp. 24–40. doi:10.1177/0265407514523545.