Just as the civic asset of perspective taking can lead to altruism, altruism can lead to perspective taking, among other benefits. This New York Times article describes a variety of research on the benefits of helping others, including research by Adam Grant, professor of psychology at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, who explains that those who listen to others’ challenges and attempt to help them are enriched by those perspectives and generally display greater levels of happiness and satisfaction in life.
Toolkit Library/
The science of helping out
Making connections:
Principled Innovation asks us to work with others and recognize the limits of our own knowledge so that we can better understand and tackle the complex issues our communities face.
Compassion meditation
Tool
30 minutes
By: Greater Good Science Center
Reflecting for change
Article
15 minutes
By: Principled Innovation® (PI)
What makes altruism altruistic?
Video
15 minutes
By: Principled Innovation® (PI)
5 barriers to critical thinking
Article
10 minutes
By: Chistopher Dwyer, Psychology Today
Perspective taking
Video
2 minutes
By: RISE