The Science Behind "Nice" People

GorillaEsq

I am often asked why I'm "big, mean and scary." More specifically, why do I come-off as "intimidating" and/or "indifferent about other people."

The short answer... I distrust everyone until they otherwise prove trustworthy (which for most, never happens).

The longer answer is the Price Equation.

In 1973, George Price, a Harvard professor, chemist and evolutionary statistician established a mathematical covariance equation that definitively calculates altruism and mutability as conjunctive elements of evolution and natural selection.

In lay terms... He proved mathematically that people are only altruistic (aka "nice") to survive and serve their own best interests.

Fundamentally, the algorithm establishes scientific proof that people are only "nice" to serve their own needs of survival and propagate their own genetic code.

The theory is extremely complicated from a mathematical perspective, however fundamentally, it's easy to understand when one boils-down the premise to the old adage "strength in numbers."

By working together as a group, human beings are more likely to thrive and subsequently propagate. Being "nice," is attractive to other with whom one would cooperate and/or breed.

Example: When a woman finds a man attractive, she does so because that male displays physical and/or mental characteristics she would like her offspring to inherit. Thus, in most cases, that female would be "nice" to the potential mate.

Very rarely would a woman find a man attractive, and commence to beating that male with a stick.

Thus, thousands of years ago, tribes were formed. They shared food, water, social conventions, and other basic instruments of conveyance. They also bred with each other.

Tribes became towns... towns became cities... governments... countries.... entire societies... etc.

All that said, the core issue remains true to this day... People are "nice," because they "want something from you" and/or it serves their genetic agenda.

It's been proven, mathematically.

Something to ponder on your way to Sunday school this morning.

Keep being awesome.

Update
For those posting things like, "Well sure, if you look at scientifically..." George Price killed himself two years after this paper was published because he couldn't handle the fact that he eliminated the notion of "humanity," with a proven scientific principle.

DontStopB_Leakin

Yea, this expalins why I'm a b****.



That was actually an awesome read. Thanks.

Dave198lbs

what a load of cynical crap

jonward85

enjoyed the read. I agree about the not trusting people until they prove it. I do however try to be nice to everyone i first me. Genetically it's me not wanting bad things to happen.

FlaxMilk

I'd say it's more correlated than proven.

wild_wild_life

Seems obvious. I'm sure there is also an evolutionary advantage to being "big, mean and scary". Everything we do boils down to DNA propagation.

darrensurrey

Well, sure, people do things largely for themselves. It's how we're designed.

I try to be nice just because I cba to argue or fight with others. Got more important things to worry about. (I'm only human, however, and if pushed will snap, but I've got good at pushing the limit further and further back... it's just not worth the hassle.)

And no, it's not a sign of weakness. I've studied how to injure people for most of my life. I just cba with that hassle, either. Even if it is self-defence, I would still have to waste time going into court, paying a lawyer etc plus the worry that some screwed up judge finds you guilty, anyway!

GorillaEsq

I'd say it's more correlated than proven.

Actually, it's one of the most highly accepted scientific theorems in history. Google "Price Equation."

cgarand

If you want to look at it that way, then everything we do is because we want to get ahead or get laid. I find being 'nice' is just easier than being a *****, which is my natural inclination. When you are 'nice' then people are more receptive to your ideas and cooperative. When people mistake my 'niceness' for weakness then they meet Evil Cheryl. She is always looking for an eager victim...

GorillaEsq

I'm sure there is also an evolutionary advantage to being "big, mean and scary".

That's the rumor.

MFPBrandy

I'd say it's more correlated than proven.

This. Sure, taking care of each other helps society as a whole, providing a better environment for all of us (can you tell I'm not a republican)? But to say that's the ONLY reason someone would be nice is pretty narrow-focused and discounts all the other motivations driving people.

DeeDeeLHF

I agree we are all selfish but we do not need to be self centered. It goes against our nature to think of others first but it doesn't make it a bad thing to strive for.

Personally, I know that I am selfish but I strive to not be self-centered, so that selfishly, I can be a better person.

D

Amy911Gray

And to think I always thought that women chose men for two reasons:

1.) They drove a way cool sports car.
2.) They were incredibly handsome.

And my conclusion--cars are not forever!

reklawn

Everything we do is for 'ourselves' if you take it from that perspective. Whether you are nice or intimidating, you are trying to get something... may it be trust, acceptance, companionship, disdain, fear.

I do nice things, yes, because it makes me feel good but also because it makes the other person feel good as well. If there was no positive response from the other person I would not do it. If we didn't get a shot of serotonin for doing positive things, we wouldn't be motivated to do anything.

SuperstarDJ

Wow, that must be a very miserable world you live in where you a) will not trust anybody and b) you have to break down niceness into a equation that proves that everyone you meet is a self-serving pr*ck.

I'd rather appreciate it when somebody's nice to me and accept, yes there are horrible people out there but it us up to me how I allow that to influence my view of the world. You give horrible people a LOT of power if you allow them make you so cynical.

wild_wild_life

I'd say it's more correlated than proven.

This. Sure, taking care of each other helps society as a whole, providing a better environment for all of us (can you tell I'm not a republican)? But to say that's the ONLY reason someone would be nice is pretty narrow-focused and discounts all the other motivations driving people.

I don't think it's saying that that is a conscious reason. Just that that is the reason the attitude of "niceness" developed in the first place.

GorillaEsq

This. Sure, taking care of each other helps society as a whole, providing a better environment for all of us (can you tell I'm not a republican)? But to say that's the ONLY reason someone would be nice is pretty narrow-focused and discounts all the other motivations driving people.

George Price killed himself two years after this paper was published because he couldn't handle the fact that he scientifically eliminated the notion of "humanity."

abberbabber

I'd say it's more correlated than proven.

This. Sure, taking care of each other helps society as a whole, providing a better environment for all of us (can you tell I'm not a republican)? But to say that's the ONLY reason someone would be nice is pretty narrow-focused and discounts all the other motivations driving people.

I actually agree with you and I *am* a Republican. But ridiculous, unfounded mud slinging is always fun, right?

fcp1234

Oh sh++ I better stop being nice

Dave198lbs

the fact that he scientifically eliminated the notion of "humanity."

one of the most absurd things I have ever read on the internet

FlaxMilk

I'd say it's more correlated than proven.

Actually, it's one of the most highly accepted scientific theorems in history. Google "Price Equation."

I accept that it's highly accepted. I don't accept that it's proven in the same way that other scientific facts are proven. Human motivations are complex. It's proven that homicide rates go up with ice cream consumption, but it is not proven that ice cream causes this.

Of course a woman is not beating a man that she wants to date. But it can't be ascribed as simply as she won't get what she wants if she's mean. There's also the happiness, excitement, lust that contribute to positive actions.

When I'm nice, I get something out of it--I prefer to be nice than to be mean. When I get into a heated discussion here, I end up feeling bad and ashamed of myself. So yes, I get something out of it-I feel better and avoid unpleasant feelings. But that explanation is only part of the story.