Surprising research results are reported that 'the amount of donations to charities increased in the midst of a pandemic'
Due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection, many people have lost close friends and suffered from the time when they could not meet their family and friends. In addition, there are many people who have lost their income due to loss of work. However, a study examining the amount of donations received by charities during such a pandemic found that donations to charities during the pandemic increased rather than decreased.
Increased generosity under COVID-19 threat | Scientific Reports
Giving Increased During the Pandemic in Areas Hit Hardest by COVID-19
https://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/pressrelease/giving-increased-during-the-pandemic-in-areas-hit-hardest-by-covid-19
Ariel Fridman and his team, who are studying behavioral marketing at the University of California, San Diego, noticed the unfriendly behavior of buying up supplies such as toilet paper, masks, and disinfectants early in the pandemic. , Embarked on a study of how a pandemic in a critical situation affects a person's self-centered behavior.
The new coronavirus panic may cause hoarding of toilet paper and disinfectants overseas, creating a black market. --GIGAZINE
Fridman and his colleagues, who started the investigation, first identified areas with high pandemic threats based on data on deaths from new coronavirus infections published by Johns Hopkins University. Then, by collating with the data of Charity Navigator, which is an organization that summarizes the financial situation of charities, we analyzed how donations to charities changed in areas where the influence of the pandemic was strong.
The results show that 78% of counties with high pandemic threats during the March-August 2020 survey increased their donations to charities. Donations also increased in counties where the pandemic threat was low, at 55%. In other words, areas with a higher pandemic threat tended to increase donations to charities.
Looking at each type of charity, donations to organizations engaged in the protection of homeless people and those suffering from hunger, welfare activities for the elderly and young children, etc. increased significantly, but education and environmental issues, etc. Donations to charities of all other categories were also increasing.
This result was a big betrayal of Fridman et al.'S expectations. This was clearly inconsistent with previous studies that people increased selfish behavior when economic conditions deteriorated. In this regard, Fridman said, 'It's surprising given that the majority of Americans were hit by worsening economic conditions during the survey. For example, during the 2008 financial crisis, they went to philanthropy. Donations have decreased. '
Charity Navigator's data also includes reasons for donations, which shows that the percentage of donations made for 'being someone' was significantly higher than before the pandemic. rice field. This indicates that people were making donations to pay homage to those who died during the pandemic and those who were affected by the pandemic.
As for the reason for the increase in donations, the research team said in a paper, 'As a result of the pandemic's increased sympathy, people may have decided to make more donations, and they can't do anything about themselves. You may have wanted to regain your independence in a situation where you feel that you are feeling, or you may feel closer to death due to a pandemic, or you may be exposed to positive emotions while feeling a lot of stress. It is possible that what I thought led to the donation. '
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