Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness

While the average person’s trust in others might be at an all-time low, “people are probably better than you think,” according to this illuminating analysis from Stanford psychology professor Zaki (The War for Kindness). Though a cynical outlook is often cast as smart and self-protective, it erodes the “psychological glue that binds us” and prevents cooperation, Zaki contends. On the flip side, a more hopeful attitude recognizes and encourages positive behavior. Corralling a wealth of research, Zaki cautions against falling prey to “negativity bias” by citing a study of 17,000 lost wallets across 40 countries that found most were returned, with rates in some countries reaching 80%. Elsewhere, he discusses a study in which Americans on opposite sides of controversial topics (gun control, abortion) had productive, exploratory conversations that led to a more than 20 point decrease in participants’ “dislike of rivals” compared to before the interaction. Championing a “hopeful skepticism” that mixes healthy curiosity with a generally positive view of humanity, Zaki is optimistic about where things stand but doesn't paper over the obstacles to building trust in increasingly divided societies. This will convince readers they don’t need to bury their heads in the sand to envision a more hopeful future. (Sept.)