The Psychological Case
Page 4RESEARCH NOTE / BIAS, HELPING, AND THE HUMAN ALIBI
The Psychological Case
I
The mind protects a preferred conclusion.
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Motivated reasoning can bias which information we retrieve, weigh, and find convincing. This does not imply that every disagreement is deliberate lying. [07]
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II
People sometimes prefer looking fair to being fair.
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In economic experiments, participants were less generous when the link between their decision and another person's outcome was made uncertain. The experiment demonstrates a possibility, not a universal human rule. [08]
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III
Humans also help.
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Studies report spontaneous helping in young children and chimpanzees; broader work documents robust cooperation and altruism alongside self-interest. [05] [06]
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IV
Friendship is more than the title on the jar.
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Partner responsiveness, mutual disclosure, and care are associated with experienced intimacy. One missed favor does not settle whether a relationship is genuine. [09]
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THE SOCIETY'S OBSERVATION
Self-interest is common. Self-deception is possible. Human kindness is real.