DONORS

Why do individuals repeatedly help strangers even when this incurs personal costs? Current evidence on prosocial behavior is contradictory, scattered across disciplines, restricted to one-country studies, does not take into account contextual influences, and fails to capture its dynamic nature. An integrated model is presented to increase understanding of prosociality as a societal core value. To grasp the dynamic and contextual nature of prosocial behavior, we use a life course model to link individual determinants, social network characteristics and societal contexts. We test the model in the case of blood donation, as an example of real world prosociality where a stranger is helped at a donor’s personal costs.

The aim of the DONORS project is to break with monodisciplinary approaches and grasp the dynamic and contextual nature of prosocial behavior. DONORS comprises three interlinked work packages:

(1) Dynamic interplay among individual and network determinants of donor behavior over the life course.

How do social relations and social interactions affect blood and plasma donation behavior? This project aims to shed light on this question using longitudinal survey and register data from the Netherlands and Australia. For example, it examines how social contagion between donors, communication among donors, and the formation of blood donor groups affect donation behavior.

Links to recent publications: 1, 2

(2) Genetic determinants of prosociality.

What are the genetic factors related to prosocial behavior, such as blood donation?

Links to ongoing projects: 1

(3) Contextual variation in donor behavior.

Culture plays a key role in shaping people's beliefs, social norms and values. To devise effective strategies for promoting real-world prosocial behaviors, such as blood donation, it is crucial to understand where cultural differences exist, and how these relate to people's motivation and behavior.

Links to recent publications: 1, 2

The DONORS project is led by Eva-Maria Merz and funded by the European Research Council (Grant Agreement 802227). More information: www.donor-research.org