Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

What Makes Life Meaningful? A Study Of Urban Youth And The Relationship Between Prosocial Tendencies, Civic Engagement, And Purpose In Life, Ian Douglas

Senior Theses and Projects

While some suggest that humans are fundamentally driven towards ruthless or self-serving behaviors as a means of promoting their genetic characteristics throughout the larger population, others suggest that other-oriented behaviors emerge just as naturally. Despite the immediate advantages of acting selfishly, acting prosocially results in long-term health benefits (e.g., reducing mortality rates) while enhancing psychological functioning. Theorists have suggested that one psychological advantage is an augmented sense of purpose that a helper may identify in his or her life. This study examines the process by which urban, Hartford-residing, youth develop meaning in their lives and express prosocial behaviors throughout their …