Differences in generosity between smokers and nonsmokers in an upcoming smoking ban

Abstract

The stigmatization of smokers has become a social norm as new information about its health effects continues to be uncovered. This study investigated smokers in terms of their generosity as a means of stigma management. A field study was undertaken in which the experimenters frequented local establishments in the eight days prior to the 2010 Michigan antismoking legislation taking effect. Experimenters, sometimes while smoking and sometimes while not smoking, approached patrons of the establishments who were either smokers or nonsmokers and asked them for a dollar. Results indicated smokers were more likely to give a dollar than nonsmokers, regardless of whether or not the experimenters were smoking. This was interpreted as a strategy smokers use to combat social stigma.

Buddhist Generosity: Its Conceptual Model and Empirical Tests

“…Generosity was defined as giving of money, time, or a helping hand (Smith & Stark, 2009) and marital generosity was defined as regularly engaging in small acts of service, forgiving one's spouse, and displaying high levels of affection and respect (Wilcox & Dew, 2016). Smokers were found to be more generous than non-smokers when asked to give a dollar (Lueke, Fitzgerald, Wickwire, & Welton, 2013), and altruistic individuals were more desirable for long-term relationships than neutral individuals (Barclay, 2010). This study contributes to the literature in operationally defining Buddhist generosity as giving important things to other living beings, human and animals.…”