Greater Good

Results from the Greater Good Science Center's "Love of Humanity" quiz.

An essay in this week’s New Yorker argues that we don't have enough empathy to go around. But new research says we can keep renewing and expanding our feeling for others.

Rick Hanson says that giving other people what they need will improve your life, not just their theirs.

Plans to close public schools are raising concerns about student safety in several major cities. But if the cities heed lessons from social science, they may be able to keep a difficult situation from getting even worse.

Daniel Goleman, Lisa Bennett, and Zenobia Barlow explain how we can teach kids to care deeply about the environment.

Emily Bazelon's new book explores bullying among kids—and finds the solution in fostering empathy among both kids and adults.

Brooke Dodson-Lavelle explains how a trailblazing compassion training program expands children's natural capacity for empathy and kindness—even toward so-called "bullies."

New research shows that adolescents who volunteer decrease their risk for heart disease.

A new book explores extreme differences between parents and children—and in so doing, reveals how we can all find empathy, resilience, and meaning in life's most difficult experiences.

Research suggests that experiencing awe helps kids focus less on themselves and more on the world around them.

We can cultivate empathy throughout our lives, says Roman Krznaric—and use it as a radical force for social transformation.

How can both parties work together after President Obama's re-election? Psychologist Jonathan Haidt offers some hard advice for liberals and conservatives.

Tips for raising children who don't push others around.

Why SEL is a necessity for children of every background.

What Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” video reveals about the links between inequality, compassion, and happiness.

Tips for keeping cool and being kind to yourself, even in the midst of a stressful situation.

The vulnerability of our children transformed human relationships, argues Dacher Keltner, and made compassion essential to our survival.

Facebook is confronting cyberbullying and online conflict. Can a team of researchers help boost kindness among the site's 900 million users?

More and more educators are helping kids develop empathy—and a recent contest highlights some of the most inspiring projects.

A new study suggests it does, at least when practiced in a group.

Five ways to raise kind and compassionate kids.

Neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran explains what mirror neurons tell us—and what they don't—about empathy and other skills.

We can cultivate empathy throughout our lives, says Roman Krznaric—and use it as a radical force for social transformation.

Neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran explains what mirror neurons tell us—and what they don't—about empathy and other skills.

An essay in this week’s New Yorker argues that we don't have enough empathy to go around. But new research says we can keep renewing and expanding our feeling for others.

Brooke Dodson-Lavelle explains how a trailblazing compassion training program expands children's natural capacity for empathy and kindness—even toward so-called "bullies."

A new study finds that training in compassion makes us more altruistic—and explores the neuroscience behind why.

A new study offers the strongest evidence to date that meditation can change the structure of your brain.

Rick Hanson says that giving other people what they need will improve your life, not just their theirs.

Jason Marsh and Jill Suttie offer added incentives to get into the holiday spirit.

Daniel Goleman, Lisa Bennett, and Zenobia Barlow explain how we can teach kids to care deeply about the environment.

Tips for keeping cool and being kind to yourself, even in the midst of a stressful situation.

Results from the Greater Good Science Center's "Love of Humanity" quiz.

Marc Bekoff explains how many different animal species show grief, friendship, gratitude, wonder, and a range of other emotions.

Research suggests that experiencing awe helps kids focus less on themselves and more on the world around them.

Emily Bazelon's new book explores bullying among kids—and finds the solution in fostering empathy among both kids and adults.

Why SEL is a necessity for children of every background.

Facebook is confronting cyberbullying and online conflict. Can a team of researchers help boost kindness among the site's 900 million users?

The vulnerability of our children transformed human relationships, argues Dacher Keltner, and made compassion essential to our survival.

Fueled by new research, the social-emotional learning movement is building momentum. Is it enough to make American schools change their course?

What Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” video reveals about the links between inequality, compassion, and happiness.

As Roots of Empathy gears up for its U.S. expansion, founder Mary Gordon reveals how the program has nurtured compassion around the world, one child at a time.

Does empathy lead to altruism? The New York Times columnist gets it wrong.

Plans to close public schools are raising concerns about student safety in several major cities. But if the cities heed lessons from social science, they may be able to keep a difficult situation from getting even worse.

Does empathy lead to altruism? The New York Times columnist gets it wrong.

A new study offers the first evidence that chimps imitate each other's laughter. Learn why this is research you should keep in mind at your next business meeting.

Facebook is confronting cyberbullying and online conflict. Can a team of researchers help boost kindness among the site's 900 million users?

A new study offers the strongest evidence to date that meditation can change the structure of your brain.

Research suggests that experiencing awe helps kids focus less on themselves and more on the world around them.

What Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” video reveals about the links between inequality, compassion, and happiness.

Fueled by new research, the social-emotional learning movement is building momentum. Is it enough to make American schools change their course?

We can cultivate empathy throughout our lives, says Roman Krznaric—and use it as a radical force for social transformation.

How can both parties work together after President Obama's re-election? Psychologist Jonathan Haidt offers some hard advice for liberals and conservatives.

A new study offers an important tip to anyone looking for forgiveness.

Why SEL is a necessity for children of every background.

A new study finds rats prefer helping others over eating sweets. What does that mean for the way we treat animals?

A review of Karen Armstrong's 12 Steps to a Compassionate Life.

Marc Bekoff explains how many different animal species show grief, friendship, gratitude, wonder, and a range of other emotions.

New research suggests the rich have a hard time reading others' emotions.

The vulnerability of our children transformed human relationships, argues Dacher Keltner, and made compassion essential to our survival.

Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton explains how to make sense of conflicting scientific evidence.

Jason Marsh and Jill Suttie offer added incentives to get into the holiday spirit.

Brooke Dodson-Lavelle explains how a trailblazing compassion training program expands children's natural capacity for empathy and kindness—even toward so-called "bullies."

Tips for keeping cool and being kind to yourself, even in the midst of a stressful situation.

Neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran explains what mirror neurons tell us—and what they don't—about empathy and other skills.

The psychologist's latest book, The Better Angels of Our Nature, is essential reading for any reader of Greater Good.

Facebook is confronting cyberbullying and online conflict. Can a team of researchers help boost kindness among the site's 900 million users?

We can cultivate empathy throughout our lives, says Roman Krznaric—and use it as a radical force for social transformation.

A new study offers the strongest evidence to date that meditation can change the structure of your brain.

What Mitt Romney’s “47 percent” video reveals about the links between inequality, compassion, and happiness.

Research suggests that experiencing awe helps kids focus less on themselves and more on the world around them.

Tips for keeping cool and being kind to yourself, even in the midst of a stressful situation.

Jason Marsh and Jill Suttie offer added incentives to get into the holiday spirit.

Brooke Dodson-Lavelle explains how a trailblazing compassion training program expands children's natural capacity for empathy and kindness—even toward so-called "bullies."

As Roots of Empathy gears up for its U.S. expansion, founder Mary Gordon reveals how the program has nurtured compassion around the world, one child at a time.

How can both parties work together after President Obama's re-election? Psychologist Jonathan Haidt offers some hard advice for liberals and conservatives.

The vulnerability of our children transformed human relationships, argues Dacher Keltner, and made compassion essential to our survival.

Marc Bekoff explains how many different animal species show grief, friendship, gratitude, wonder, and a range of other emotions.

Why SEL is a necessity for children of every background.

A new study suggests we can keep our prejudices in check by trying to see the world through someone else's eyes.

New research suggests the rich have a hard time reading others' emotions.

More and more educators are helping kids develop empathy—and a recent contest highlights some of the most inspiring projects.

A new study suggests it does, at least when practiced in a group.

Neuroscientist V.S. Ramachandran explains what mirror neurons tell us—and what they don't—about empathy and other skills.

Empathy is the bedrock of our relationships with others, says Rick Hanson. Here's how to practice it.

Fueled by new research, the social-emotional learning movement is building momentum. Is it enough to make American schools change their course?

Some of today's leading artists share their gratitude lists. What's on yours?