Science

Both selfishness and generosity distort how we see our impact, but the selfish view is more contagious

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 26/10/2026, 11:40:24 UTC.

Briefings

Research indicates that both selfish and generous individuals distort their perception of impact, but selfishness is more contagious. People often underestimate harm to others when acting selfishly or overstate benefits when acting generously. This bias affects how people evaluate their own choices and the consequences of their actions.

Key points

• Selfish individuals underestimate the harm their actions cause to others, while generous individuals overstate the benefits their actions bring to others.
• Both biases lead to distorted views of one's own impact on others, creating a feedback loop where selfishness becomes more prevalent.

Context

This finding challenges the assumption that altruism is universally more impactful than selfishness. It suggests that both extremes distort social perception, potentially influencing public policy and individual decision-making.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to observational descriptions of decision-making patterns without specific data on prevalence rates, measurement methods, or long-term outcomes.

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