The Manifestations of Generosity: From Cooperation to Social Justice

Abstract

This chapter details the various manifestations of generosity, such as giving money, possessions, time, attention, aid, encouragement, and emotional availability. Particular attention is paid to the relationship between philanthropy and generosity. Other important manifestations include cooperation, informal helping, relational generosity, charitable giving, volunteering, political action, blood and organ donation, and social justice. People can make generous gifts through a charitable, philanthropic, or civic organization or through less formal means, including within marriages, family relationships, and social networks. Macro-, meso-, and micro-level social goods are explained and provide a conceptual framework for understanding the focus of each study.

The appendix to the book describes the process of studying generosity. It begins by visualizing a research roadmap that illustrates key steps in the process of conducting research. Next, several methods of data collection are summarized, including experiments, surveys, in-depth interviews, existing data and secondary analysis, mixed methods, meta-analysis, and literature reviews. The difference between production and consumption of research is summarized, as is the iterative process to conducting research.