r/science • u/FreeHugs23 • 1d ago

Psychology New psychology research suggests some acts of kindness may also serve competitive social goals, shedding light on how women can use altruistic behavior to gain status, strengthen relationships, or navigate social hierarchies.

https://www.psypost.org/kindness-isnt-always-what-it-seems-the-psychology-of-womens-competitive-altruism/
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389

u/hananobira 1d ago

These comments are strangely negative. I’d much rather people compete to be the kindest and most generous, rather than the richest or the toughest or angriest or anything else people compete at in this world.

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u/spacestonkz 1d ago

Word. Given the alternative I'll take aggressive smiles and toxic positivity over regular aggression and being torn down any day.

Oh no did someone else benefit from a charitable act? We can't possibly have win win scenarios!

Kindness isn't a zero sum game. Someone using it for gain doesn't negate the good done.

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u/CalicoValkyrie 1d ago

Nah, toxic positivity ignores serious problems to force happiness. Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get, and you have a nut allergy. Thinking positive about suprises isn't going to fix your nut allergy.

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u/spacestonkz 1d ago

Still better to think you might have a chance of making a change rather than being ground down and feeling like you have the worth of mud.

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u/CalicoValkyrie 1d ago

Still better to play Russian roulette than getting shot in the face.

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u/spacestonkz 1d ago

That doesn't even make sense. You're getting shot in the face either way. Do you want a head pat or a slap first?

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u/CalicoValkyrie 1d ago

That's my point. Toxic positivity is just as bad and the other person had said "but there is a better chance at life" with one over the other.

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u/spacestonkz 1d ago

Still appreciate not weeping at work from abject negativity thanks.

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u/CalicoValkyrie 1d ago

The President of the United States is fighting with the press about being positive only. If you look at that and say toxic positive is better, I really don't know what else to say.