Are Humans Generous By Nature?
The Human Generosity Project is the first large-scale transdisciplinary research project to investigate the interrelationship between biological and cultural influences on human generosity. We use multiple methodologies to understand the nature and evolution of human generosity including fieldwork, laboratory experiments and computational modeling.
Fieldwork
From herders and hunter-gatherers in Africa, to Fijian fisher-horticulturalists and American ranchers, the HGP is asking fundamental questions about why humans share during times of need. Our team of anthropologists is working at seven sites around the world doing qualitative and quantitative studies of human generosity.
Outreach
The HGP organizes outreach activities to apply our emerging understanding of human sharing in times of need to topics including resource management and disaster recovery. We are also working with the Exploratorium science museum in San Francisco to develop museum exhibits based on human sharing across societies.
News & Blog
Mongolia’s 21st century nomadic herders are merging a centuries-old economic tradition with post-2000 tech savvy. Roughly 30% of Mongolia’s population of 2.84 million make their living by migrating each season with herds of horses, goats, sheep, camels, and cattle. This mobile lifestyle often… [Read more]