The “Zombie Apocalypse” Bond: Generosity in the Pandemic
Blades, R. (2021). The “Zombie Apocalypse” Bond: Generosity in the Pandemic. Think Global Health, https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/zombie-apocalypse-bond
“Jamil Zaki, a professor of psychology at Stanford University, has found that disasters typically lead to more generous behavior, what he refers to as "catastrophe compassion." Shared negative experiences bond people together and produce a heightened sense of solidarity, empathy and emotional connection, which increases cooperative behavior. This phenomenon is consistent after hurricanes, wars, terrorist attack, and now, a pandemic.
Highly publicized accounts of people hoarding toilet paper, or gathering for beach parties in open defiance of legal restrictions meant to protect vulnerable people, promote the belief that every person is for themselves during the pandemic. But generosity may have actually increased…”