Field
Psychology
Project Description
Prosocial behavior, or behavior done to benefit others, has been shown to improve well- being. Our research aims to extend those findings by examining the psychological factors that drive its mental health benefits and comparing them to self-directed acts of kindness. In a second study, we will test the effectiveness of a mindset intervention designed to increase engagement in prosocial behavior and its subsequent positive effects.
Team
Naomi Eisenberger, Ph.D., Maria Naclerio
Naomi Eisenberger, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at UCLA who uses neuroimaging techniques to better understand why social relationships are critical for mental and physical health. Her recent work has examined whether prosocial behaviors reduce threat-related responding, such as inflammatory activity, through the activation of the mammalian caregiving system. Dr. Eisenberger has been recognized with several early and mid-career awards and is currently the Editor-in-Chief for the journal Emotion.
Maria Naclerio is a Ph.D. student in the Psychology Department at UCLA and a member of the Social and Affective Neuroscience Lab. Her research explores how shifting focus away from the self, through prosocial behavior or self-transcendent emotions, can enhance well-being. She earned her B.A. from Duke University and previously served with AmeriCorps in rural Alaska and worked at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School.