Why do we help? Researcher explains our ‘altruistic urge.’

The World

Every day, people perform astonishing acts of generosity, sometimes at great risk. Small acts of selflessness occur almost everywhere you look. Stephanie Preston is a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan and an expert on why humans developed a powerful drive to help one another. She speaks to The World’s Marco Werman about her book, “The Altruistic Urge: Why We’re Driven to Help Others.”

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.