Recently, it seems that the world is filled with hate. It seems like everyone is fighting and there are always bad things happening. Most people feel it is easier to create walls and limit our interactions with strangers. Is it the best way to avoid new people?

Most people have heard the saying that small acts of kindness can go a long ways. It turns out that this is not an old saying. Recent research shows that this notion is not only true, but we may be underestimating the power of kindness.

The Journal of Experimental Psychology published recently a study entitled "A Little Good goes An Unexpectedly Long Way": We underestimate the positive effects of kindness on recipients.

The study states that "Performing random acts or kindness increases happiness in both receivers and givers" but that recipients are often undervalued by givers.

The subjects were asked to give away hot chocolate in Chicago parks, or $100 gift cards that could be split with someone else. They found that the recipients of the kind acts were "consistently underestimated" by those who performed them. This was because they perceived the act as less valuable than it was.

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Amit Kumar, an assistant professor of psychology and marketing at the University of Texas at Austin, said that "performers of acts of kindness may miss the fact that engaging in warm, kind acts can be meaningful to recipients beyond what it is that they are receiving."

Researchers found that people don't understand the ripple effects that random acts can have on others. We don't realize the impact that kindness can have on someone.

Kumar stated that this concept is driven by the "additional warmth" that comes from being the recipient of acts of kindness. He said that sometimes, generosity can be contagious.

What is the point of all this? Kumar says that underestimating the positive effects of kindness can hinder us from doing these things every day.

You'd be more inclined to take action if you knew you were having a greater impact. Kumar explained that if you believe it will only have a small impact, you might be less inclined to follow this path.

Don't be afraid of complimenting someone, writing a positive review for a local business, visiting a nursing home to play board games with residents or smiling at someone who seems like they are having a rough day. It's amazing how many people can benefit from a simple act of kindness.

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By: Perry Carpenter
Title: You’re Undervaluing Kindess—A Recent Study Shows Just How Far A Simple Positive Act Can Go
Sourced From: www.suggest.com/act-of-kindness-underestimated-value-study/2673997/
Published Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2022 11:25:00 +0000

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