Data for "A Field Experiment on Morality and Well-Being"

Abstract

Abstract: "A field experiment examines how moral behavior (prosocial behavior benefiting another person), moral thoughts (prosocial thoughts about another person), or self-benefiting behavior affect daily well-being. Using experience sampling technology, we randomly assigned participants over ten days to behave morally, to have moral thoughts, or do something positive for themselves. Participants received treatment-specific instructions in the morning of five days and no instructions on the other five days. At each day’s end, participants completed measures that examined subjective well-being, self-perceived morality, feelings of purpose and control, positive and negative emotions, and social isolation and closeness. Comparing responses by experimental treatment found that all three treatments improved well-being on some of these measures, but restricting analyses to those who followed treatment-specific instructions on a treatment-specific day revealed that all three treatments improved well-being on all measures. These results suggest moral behavior, moral thoughts, and self-benefiting behavior all appear to boost psychological wellness.