A sense of happiness, satisfaction with oneself and one’s life is more often experienced by people prone to altruism. But can it be educated?
Israeli scientists Ariel Knafo and Robert Plomin (Ariel Knafo, Robert Plomin) for several years followed the development of 9300 pairs of twins, asked parents about the actions of children and about relationships in the family.
It turned out that the desire of the child to do something for others, contrary to their own interest, is associated with a positive parental style of upbringing (the predominance of positive emotions, freedom of choice). Conversely, coercion and negative emotions of parents (negative style) form selfishness.
It is curious that with an authoritarian upbringing, a genetic predisposition is more pronounced (twins are more similar to each other). And a positive parenting style seems to help overcome biological conditioning and enhance environmental influences.