Viral videos and virtue: Moral elevation inductions shift affect and interpersonal goals in daily life

Social Engagement Early in the U.S. COVID-19 Crisis: Exploring Social Support and Prosocial Behavior Between Those With and Without Depression or Anxiety in an Online Sample

“…Although few elevation studies have examined social support directly, these results are consistent with findings from a study that suggested higher elevation was significantly associated with perceived compassion from and toward others in the aftermath of a traumatic event (i.e., campus shooting; Tingey, McGuire, Stebbins, & Erickson, 2019). More broadly, these results are also consistent with past work that highlights the relationship between experiencing elevation and a strong desire to help and connect with others (Cox, 2010;Erickson et al, 2018;Van de Vyver & Abrams, 2015). Perhaps people who are more predisposed to experience elevation are feeling inspired by the many remarkable acts of virtue that have emerged during this crisis (e.g., self-sacrifice by health professionals) and subsequently experience some of the social benefits associated with that emotion.…”

Compassionate and self‐image goals as interpersonal maintenance factors in clinical depression and anxiety

“…Interventions focused on cultivating lovingkindness (Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, ; Kearney et al., ) and compassion (Gilbert, ; Jazaieri et al., ) may be of relevance but have not explicitly measured compassionate goals (or have emphasized self‐compassion more than compassion for others; e.g., Gilbert, ). We note recent longitudinal field experiments showing that viewing uplifting or “morally elevating” (Haidt, 2000) videos during daily goal planning led to higher daily compassionate goals measured later each day, relative to emotionally neutral or amusing videos (Erickson et al, ). Further research experimentally modifying interpersonal goals is warranted.…”

Can positive and self-transcendent emotions promote pro-environmental behavior?

“…One experience sampling study showed that state compassion was related to increases in donations, but general trait compassion, measured at baseline, did not predict donations [48]. Moreover, Erickson et al [49] found that inducing moral elevation through a series of viral videos produced immediate increases in feelings and pro-social goals, but they did not have sustained effects. Ultimately, meaningfully changing sustainable behaviors will require such enduring effects, and the processes that play out over months and years may involve different emotions.…”