Research about kindness

Researchers at the University of Maryland found that “good intentions ease pain, add to pleasure.”  Three experiments were done. The research found that

•  1.  Electrical shocks hurt less when the person receiving the shock believed the person administering the shock was kind (benevolent) and trying to help win money for the person receiving the shock.  This compared to two other groups—one group was ‘accidentally shocked’ and one group was ‘maliciously shocked—on purpose and for no good reason. 

•      2. The second experiment found that people who sat in a massage chair felt more pleasure when a caring partner turned on the massage chair.  The control for this experiment involved a computer turning on the massage chair.   The good intentions of a partner added pleasure.

•      3. This experiment involved people receiving candy.  (My kind of experiment.)  One group received candy with a note that said, “I picked this just for you.  Hope it makes you happy.”  The second group received candy with a note that said, “Whatever, I just don’t care.  I  just picked it randomly.”  Those who received the note “I picked this just for you.” scored the candy as tasting better and sweeter than the group whose candy note said, “Whatever.” 

This study concludes “Perceived benevolence (kindness, good intentions) not only improves the experience of pain and pleasure, but can also make things taste better.”  Science Daily, Good Intentions Ease Pain, Add to Pleasure, http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118165137.htm