The arts as a catalyst for human prosociality and cooperation

Van de Vyver, J.; Abrams, D.

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that engagement in the arts may act as a catalyst that promotes prosocial cooperation. Using “Understanding Society” data (a nationally representative longitudinal sample of 30,476 people in the UK), we find that beyond major personality traits, demographic variables, wealth, education, and engagement in other social activity (sports), people’s greater engagement with the arts predicts greater prosociality (volunteering and charitable giving) over a period of 2 years. The predictive effect of prosociality on subsequent arts engagement is significantly weaker. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that the arts provide an important vehicle for facilitating a cohesive and sustainable society. Fostering a society in which engagement in the arts is encouraged and accessible to all may provide an important counter to economic, cultural, and political fracture and division.

Citation

Van de Vyver, J., & Abrams, D. (2018). The arts as a catalyst for human prosociality and cooperation. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 9(6), 664-674. https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550617720275

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 13, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 2, 2017
• Publication Date: Aug 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Sep 6, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 7, 2018
• Journal: Social Psychological and Personality Science
• Print ISSN: 1948-5506
• Electronic ISSN: 1948-5514
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 9
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 664-674
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1948550617720275
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1349913
• Related Public URLs: http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/28053/