From
Research News--
Opportunities in Science and Theology Sep. 2002, Vol 3, No 1; p1
In the article entitled,
Why Cooperation Feels So Good we find the following: "An Emory University study indicates that cooperation, teamwork, and reciprocated altruism stimulate areas of the brain that result in feelings of pleasure. Brain scans have revealed a biologically embedded basis for cooperation."
As reported on in that magazine, a study which had been done by James K. Rilling and Gregory S. Bern, and which had been covered in the July 8, 2002 issue of
Neuron, provides evidence through studies done with a brain scanner while subjects engauged in the game "Prisoner's Dilemma".
In summing up the findings, Berns is quoted as saying," Our study shows, for the first time, that social cooperation is intrinsically rewarding to the human brain, even in the face of pressures to the contrary. It suggests that the altruistic drive to cooperate is biologically embedded--either genetically programmed or acquired through socialization during childhood and adolescence."
The area of the brain that lit up when people cooperated with each other wasin the lymbic system [that system which consists of several sub-organs dealing with emotional demands] and prefrontal areas. Particularly when cooperation was reciprocated, activity in the area of the brain associated with pleasure, famous in drug studies, was activated. This area is rich in neurons which resond to dopamine, the brain chemical that produces the pleasureable sensation activated by certain drugs and other addictive behaviors.
The article closed with the following: "The reason altruism and the spirit of cooperation have evolved in humans is still not completely understood. But whatever the biological or evolutionary reasons, this function of the brain has developed, and now we know why being nice feels so good."
There are some good articles which follow up on a couple of views of altruism which I'll try to post for information later on.
:wave: