Understanding the brain science behind giving and receiving gifts
Understanding the brain science behind giving and receiving gifts
Psychology and neuroscience suggest that giving gifts to other people can be very rewarding to ourselves and others.
Niranjana Rajalakshmi
Today
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The acts of giving and receiving gifts activate core areas of the brain associated with reward and pleasure, says associate professor Jessica Andrews-Hanna.HealthScience and TechnologyCompassionExpertsQ&A
Media contact(s)Niranjana Rajalakshmi
Science Writer, University Communicationsniranjanar@arizona.edu917-415-3497
Researcher contact(s)Jessica Andrews-Hanna
Department of Psychologyjandrewshanna@email.arizona.eduThe hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us and part of the holiday cheer revolves around exchanging gifts.The acts of giving and receiving gifts encompass many emotions. Spending money on others brings happiness to the gift-giver, studies say. In fact, psychologists have confirmed that the warm glow of kindness, the feel-good rush after being kind to others, is real. A 2019 study says that people who give benefit regardless of whether they gain something from gifting others.Andrews-Hanna - Sandbox.jpg
Jessica Andrews-Hanna.In this Q&A, Jessica Andrews-Hanna, an associate professor in theDepartment of Psychology, in theCollege of Science, discusses in detail the psychology and neuroscience behind giving and receiving gifts.Q: What happens to our brain when we gift othe...
Source: The University of Arizona: Health - Category: Universities & Medical Training Authors: niranjanar Source Type: research
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