Greed and generosity are to very different attributes where it seems as a person must be one or the other. Which is true as seen in the study described in the article "Greed, not Generosity, More Likely to be 'Paid Forward.'" The study sampled random people in a Massachusetts subway station having them play an economic game. This game involved a person receiving an amount of zero, three, or six dollars which was told to be what the previous person had chosen to give them. The person was then asked how much they would like to pass on to the next person, and so on. If people chose to be greedy initially they were more likely to continue the trend of greed.
In the second study shown, instead of money the administrators used work tasks, boring or engaging. Again the results showed greed taking the forefront, as people were more likely to perform the engaging tasks leaving the boring ones for the next person.
Both studies give evidence there is a drive for greed within in the work place and the world, providing a desire for success on the wrong terms. People's own selfishness creates their own successes. I think this idea is a sad attribute of the society we live in, and though I do not agree with the findings I think they are an accurate representation. People only give generously when they are required to do so or they know the answer they give will affect them personally. By the former I mean, if a person knows by choosing a work load for themselves a partner or close co-worker will get the leftovers, they would be more likely to split the boring and engaging work equally out of sympathy. Though the article does not provide evidence of this idea, I would be interested in finding the if there is any truth behind it.
From personal experience if I do not know the other person, I would be passing the six dollars onto I would be more likely to keep it for myself. I have no personal attachment towards the receiving person, nor do I feel as though I deserve any less than what I received.
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