Brain scientists make the case for "survival of the kindest."

Researchers are challenging long-held beliefs that human beings are hard-wired to be selfish. In a wide range of studies, these scientists are amassing a growing body of evidence to show we are evolving to become more compassionate, empathetic and collaborative in our quest to survive and thrive.

New reports published in Science Daily, examined the issue of human selfishness versus altruism and empathy from the perspective of how the brain works.

Interpreters of Charles' Darwin's theory of "survival of the fittest," or theory of evolution by natural selection depicts the human species at times as brutal, selfish and uncaring for the "weak"
or less fortunate.Dacher Keltner,a University of California psychologist and author of Born To Be Good: The Science of the Meaningful Life, and his fellow social scientists are building the case that humans are successful as a species precisely because of its nurturing, altruistic and compassionate traits. Keltner says that "because of our vulnerable offspring, the fundamental task for human survival and gene replication is to take care of others, " and "human beings have survived as a species because we have evolved the capacities to care for those in need and to cooperate."

Keltner's team is examining how the human capacity to care and cooperate is wired into particular regions of the brain and nervous system.Once recent study found compelling evidence that many humans are genetically predisposed to be empathetic. This study led by University of California graduate student Laura Saslow and Sarina Rodriques of Oregon State University, found that people with a particular variation of the oxytocin gene receptor are more adept at reading the emotional state of others, and get less stressed out under tense circumstances. Oxytocin, a hormone, is secreted into the bloodstream and the brain, where it promotes social interaction, nurturing and romantic love, among other functions.

While studies show that bonding and making social connections can make for a healthier, more meaningful life, the larger question that some researchers are asking is "How do these traits ensure our survival and raise our status among our peers?"  University of California social psychologist and sociologist Robb Willer says that the more generous we are, the more respect and influence we wield, findings he published in the American Sociological Review.

These kind of findings support what is known as the "positive psychology" movement pioneered by Martin Seligman, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, whose research shifted psychology away from mental illness and dysfunction toward optimism, resilience, and happiness. The University of California researchers have narrowed their research focus on how positive psychology contributes to the greater social good. One outcome of their work has been the establishment of the Greater Good Science Center at the University, including programs such as "Science for Raising Happy Kids", the goal of which is to assist in and promote the rearing of emotionally literate children. Christine Carter, the executive director of the Center says that "parents who start consciously cultivating gratitude and generosity in their children quickly see how much happier and more resilient their children become."

In their investigation of the neurobiological roots of positive emotions, Keltner and his colleagues are zeroing in on oxytocin as well as the vagus nerve, a uniquely mammalian system that connects to all the body's organs and regulates heart rate and breathing. Both the vagus nerve and oxytocin play a role in communicating and calming. In one study, the result of a sympathetic physical touch reduced anxiety and calmed people down substantially. Keltner concludes that "sympathy is indeed wired into our brains and bodies; and it spreads from one person to another through touch."

Sohee Park, Katherine Thakkar and other researchers at Vanderbilt University reported their results of a study of brain processes when people create and manipulate mental representations of the physical world, and demonstrated a connection to peoples' ability to empathize. The researchers identified the area of the brain, the parietal cortex, as the area of greatest activity during their experiments. They also found the more empathetic people rated themselves, the more they were actually empathetic towards others. Generally, women reported more empathy than men. They concluded that the more a person could imagine another's physical perspective, the greater the probability of experiencing empathy toward the other person.

Children between the ages of 7 and 12 appear to be naturally
inclined to feel empathy for others in pain, according to researchers at the University of Chicago, using fMRI scans of children. The researchers concluded that the brain programming for empathy is something that is "hard-wired" into normal children, and not entirely the product of parental guidance or other nurturing. This study, supported by the National Science Foundation, provides new insights for children's' perception of right and wrong and how their brains process information.

Overall, these and other findings from researchers challenge the assumption that "nice guys finish last," and instead support the
hypothesis that humans, if adequately nurtured and supported, tend to err on the side of compassion, and that empathy is hard-wired into our brains when we are children.

Ray B. Williams is Co-Founder of Success IQ University and President of Ray Williams Associates, companies located in Phoenix and Vancouver, providing leadership training, personal growth and executive coachingservices
www.succcessiqu.com