The Helpful Brain | Psychology Today

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data-drupal-messages-fallback class="hidden"></div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-container--grid layout-container--has-right-rail"> <div class="layout-content-main"> <div> <div id="block-pt-content" class="block"> <article data-history-node-id="1168850" role="article"> <h1>The Helpful Brain</h1> <p class="blog-description">The psychology and neuroscience behind why people help, or fail to help, themselves and others</p> <div class="views-element-container"><div class="teaser-listing js-view-dom-id-c132a3e6180c88ea4acea9d0335e68396aa7e61b6e4a60b4c105f7895bc9bebf"> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5026399"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202410/do-we-make-better-choices-when-its-all-about-us"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-10/pexels-phil-mitchell-161192924-12780159.jpg?itok=q1eKVNwr" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Phil Mitchell / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/decision-making" hreflang="en-us">Decision-Making</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202410/do-we-make-better-choices-when-its-all-about-us" rel="bookmark">Do We Make Better Choices When It's All About Us?</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">November 27, 2024</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Every day we make choices that affect us and choices that affect others. New research using animal behaviour reveals which we are better at and how choices link to autistic traits. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Every day we make choices that affect us and choices that affect others. New research using animal behaviour reveals which we are better at and how choices link to autistic traits. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5023586"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202408/how-does-morality-develop-and-differ-as-we-age"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-08/people-7472523_1280.png.jpg?itok=lwZUuGsn" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="RosZie/Pixabay" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/ethics-and-morality" hreflang="en-us">Ethics and Morality</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202408/how-does-morality-develop-and-differ-as-we-age" rel="bookmark">How Does Morality Develop and Differ as We Age?</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">August 16, 2024</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Morality is a fundamental aspect of human experience. To address global challenges, we need to use science to understand how morality develops and differs across our lives. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Morality is a fundamental aspect of human experience. To address global challenges, we need to use science to understand how morality develops and differs across our lives. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5021320"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202406/how-do-we-decide-to-leave-a-social-interaction"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-06/blog.jpg?itok=oT6Po3lN" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="rawpixel / 123RF-Free Images" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/social-life" hreflang="en-us">Social Life</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202406/how-do-we-decide-to-leave-a-social-interaction" rel="bookmark">How Do We Decide to Leave a Social Interaction?</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">June 18, 2024</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> When should we leave a social interaction? Decisions to stop interacting are influenced by the environment we are in and whether people treat us fairly. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> When should we leave a social interaction? Decisions to stop interacting are influenced by the environment we are in and whether people treat us fairly. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5019860"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202405/effortful-helping-in-teenagers-at-risk-for-psychopathy"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2024-05/tim-graf-k6h5_UZ32zo-unsplash.jpeg.jpg?itok=5xmdjmmV" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Tim Graf / Unsplash" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/adolescence" hreflang="en-us">Adolescence</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202405/effortful-helping-in-teenagers-at-risk-for-psychopathy" rel="bookmark">Effortful Helping in Teenagers at Risk for Psychopathy</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">May 10, 2024</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> New research reveals adolescents with conduct problems are less willing to help others. Actual helping also depended on callous-unemotional traits, a risk factor for psychopathy. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> New research reveals adolescents with conduct problems are less willing to help others. Actual helping also depended on callous-unemotional traits, a risk factor for psychopathy. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5014136"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202312/do-adolescents-learn-better-from-reward-or-punishment"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2023-12/arcade.jpg?h=443a397e&itok=h7ka4PSP" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Cotonbro studio/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/punishment" hreflang="en-us">Punishment</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202312/do-adolescents-learn-better-from-reward-or-punishment" rel="bookmark">Do Adolescents Learn Better From Reward or Punishment?</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">December 7, 2023</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Does learning from rewards and punishments differ from childhood to adolescence? Does our tendency to act change, too? We examine new research on adolescent learning. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Does learning from rewards and punishments differ from childhood to adolescence? Does our tendency to act change, too? We examine new research on adolescent learning. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5009825"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202308/how-extreme-heat-impacts-mental-health"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2023-08/shutterstock_1924243004.jpg?itok=RkN10hy5" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="fizkes/Shutterstock" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/environment" hreflang="en-us">Environment</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202308/how-extreme-heat-impacts-mental-health" rel="bookmark">How Extreme Heat Can Affect Your Mental Health</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">August 16, 2023</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Feeling hot? The science behind how heatwaves change our mental health and how we can make a difference </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Feeling hot? The science behind how heatwaves change our mental health and how we can make a difference </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="5007993"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202306/why-we-get-bored-and-how-to-overcome-it"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/teaser_image/blog_entry/2023-06/pexels-andrea-piacquadio-3808012.jpeg.jpg?itok=FDhI6XiJ" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/boredom" hreflang="en-us">Boredom</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202306/why-we-get-bored-and-how-to-overcome-it" rel="bookmark">Why We Get Bored and How to Overcome It</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">June 27, 2023</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> What is boredom? By understanding the latest science, we can take steps to overcome boredom and avoid the negative consequences it can have. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> What is boredom? 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Why is this period of life a time of risky and impulsive behaviors? </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Adolescence is often associated with dangerous risk-taking. Why is this period of life a time of risky and impulsive behaviors? </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="1180342"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202209/how-better-remember-the-past"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_teaser_image/2022-09/kelly-sikkema-m6danugiolq-unsplash.jpg?itok=-tcaGuK2" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Kelly Sikkema/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/memory" hreflang="en-us">Memory</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202209/how-better-remember-the-past" rel="bookmark">How to Better Remember the Past</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">September 27, 2022</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Forgetting things that are important? 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Social influence improves our learning, but it can also backfire. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="1177348"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202206/3-reasons-you-want-read-post"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_teaser_image/2022-06/laptop-2838921_1920.jpeg.jpg?itok=rQWuXQhq" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="lukasbieri/Pixabay" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/health" hreflang="en-us">Health</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202206/3-reasons-you-want-read-post" rel="bookmark">3 Reasons You Want to Read This Post</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">June 29, 2022</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> How do we choose what information we want to know? The answer has implications for our mental health, physical health, and social relationships. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> How do we choose what information we want to know? The answer has implications for our mental health, physical health, and social relationships. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="1177017"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202206/are-poorer-people-more-generous"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_teaser_image/2022-06/screenshot_2022-06-21_at_11.48.22.png.jpg?itok=iOYX1Npa" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Rodnae productions/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/altruism" hreflang="en-us">Altruism</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202206/are-poorer-people-more-generous" rel="bookmark">Are Poorer People More Generous? </a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">June 21, 2022</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> If you have less, do you give more? Here are 3 ways that wealth affects generosity. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> If you have less, do you give more? Here are 3 ways that wealth affects generosity. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="1175546"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202205/4-reasons-we-give-to-charity"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_teaser_image/2022-05/pexels-liza-summer-6347730.jpeg.jpg?itok=6D5YBRqA" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Liza Summer/Pexels" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/empathy" hreflang="en-us">Empathy </a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202205/4-reasons-we-give-to-charity" rel="bookmark">4 Reasons We Give to Charity</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">May 10, 2022</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> What motivates you to donate to good causes? Recent survey results and research in psychology highlight multiple possible reasons. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> What motivates you to donate to good causes? Recent survey results and research in psychology highlight multiple possible reasons. </p> </article> </div> <div class="teaser-listing-item views-row"> <article class="teaser teaser-lg blog-entry--teaser" data-nid="1174181"> <div class="teaser-lg--main"> <div class="teaser-lg__image"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202203/could-oxytocin-change-how-our-brains-learn-help-others"><img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn2.psychologytoday.com/assets/styles/manual_crop_1_1_288x288/public/field_blog_entry_teaser_image/2022-03/shutterstock_1072463117.jpg?itok=q0HJHZCG" width="288" height="288" alt="" title="Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock" /> </a> </div> <div class="teaser-lg__details"> <h6 class="teaser-lg__topic text-uppercase-primary-small"> <a href="/us/basics/oxytocin" hreflang="en-us">Oxytocin</a> </h6> <div class="h2 teaser-lg__title"> <a href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain/202203/could-oxytocin-change-how-our-brains-learn-help-others" rel="bookmark">Could Oxytocin Change How Our Brains Learn to Help Others?</a> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__byline"><a href="/us/contributors/patricia-lockwood-phd-and-jo-cutler-phd" hreflang="en">Patricia Lockwood, Ph.D., and Jo Cutler, Ph.D.</a> on <span class="teaser-lg__published_on">March 31, 2022</span></p> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--desktop"> Recently published research reveals what happens to our brains and how we learn about others if we are given a dose of oxytocin through the nose. </p> </div> </div> <p class="teaser-lg__summary teaser-lg__teaser--mobile"> Recently published research reveals what happens to our brains and how we learn about others if we are given a dose of oxytocin through the nose. </p> </article> </div> <nav role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> <ul class="js-pager__items pagination"> <li class="page-item active"> <span class="page-link">1</span> </li> <li class="page-item"> <a class="page-link" href="/us/blog/the-helpful-brain?page=2" title="Go to next page" rel="next"> 2 </a> </li> <li 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