Older adults in the United States and China were more generous toward people outside their close social circles than younger adults, according to a study examining how giving varies with age. The pattern appeared in both countries after researchers accounted for cultural values and other background differences.
The research team, led by Yi Lu, an assistant professor of psychology at Western Kentucky University, asked nearly 1,000 adults of different ages to make hypothetical decisions about sharing money with people ranging from close family members to strangers. Participants also reported their charitable donations.
Older participants were less influenced by social distance, meaning they were more willing to share with acquaintances and strangers. They also reported giving more to charity. The researchers describe this tendency to value another person’s welfare less as social distance increases as social discounting.
Across age groups, people who placed greater importance on equality and closeness with others tended to be more generous overall. Those who valued personal achievement and status more tended to give less.
The study has limitations. Its sharing decisions were hypothetical, and charitable donations were self-reported. It also compared people of different ages at a single point in time, so it cannot establish that individuals become more generous as they age; generational differences could help explain the results. The research also does not determine why older adults gave more.
The findings suggest that older adults can be a source of support beyond their immediate circles, while also showing that generosity is associated with the values people hold.
Sources: Psychology Today.