Meaningful media may push altruism across bounds of race and age

"Previous research has shown that people tend to be more altruistic after they watch a movie or television program that they consider more meaningful, but this study suggests that not only are they more altruistic, but they are more willing to offer help to people from different groups outside of their own," Bailey said. UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. People who watch meaningful entertainment may be more willing to lend a hand to people they consider different, according to researchers. After watching a meaningful clip from a television show, participants in a study were more likely to help someone from a different age and race than they were people in their own age and racial groups, according to Erica Bailey , doctoral student in mass communication , Penn State. "Previous research has shown that people tend to be more altruistic after they watch a movie or television program that they consider more meaningful, but this study suggests that not only are they more altruistic, but they are more willing to offer help to people from different groups outside of their own," Bailey said. Participants in the study were asked to watch a video clip from the television show "Rescue Me" and fill out questionnaires. They were also asked to take part in an optional task to help either a researcher from their university who was closer to them in age and race, or a researcher from another university, who was of a different race and age.