title: Beneficial effects of human altruism.
abstract: In this work we review converging evidence from several lines of research which suggests that altruism in humans can be intrinsically rewarding. Various investigations illustrate how human altruism can have beneficial effects on health and wellbeing. In this contribution we propose a model that includes positive effects of altruism. These beneficial effects lead to significant changes in the dynamics of the system, favouring higher levels of altruism and facilitating abrupt changes towards cooperation. In the present model, social modulation occurs at both individual and collective levels. The potential beneficial role of altruism proposed here may account for its occurrence among non-kin and beyond reciprocity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio Ecotono, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, 8400 Bariloche, Argentina.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lozada
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: D'Adamo
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fuentes
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004645:Empathy; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D012924:Social Conditions