Psychol Sci October 2022 PMID 36067802

Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help.

Xuan Zhao, Nicholas Epley

Mentions

132
Peak: 55 in Sep 2022
across 4 sources since Sep 2022

Extended reach

334,301
potential audience

Total likes

398

Video views

791

Mentions per month

Sep 2022 – Feb 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News64 articles
  • X / Twitter58 posts
  • Blogs8 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone reflects agreement with the research's insights, highlighted by comments emphasizing how people tend to overestimate inconvenience and underestimate others' willingness to help, using words like 'underestimate' and 'barrier.' The tone is thoughtful but not overly emotional, emphasizing scientific findings and potential social implications that could change how we view asking for help.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly support the article's key findings about underestimated prosociality and barriers to asking for help.

InterestModerate interest

The topic sparks moderate interest, mainly because it relates to social behavior and helpfulness, though some posts seem to focus on shared experiences rather than deep analysis.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants engage by referencing multiple experiments and emphasizing the importance of understanding others' willingness to help, showing thoughtful consideration.

ImpactHigh impact

The discussions suggest the article could significantly influence social perceptions and encourage more prosocial behavior, which many see as impactful.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Rolf Degen
@DegenRolf · X

People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how good the others will feel after giving help. https://t.co/FAsnppbyfV https://t.co/G9GmO2unjY

Sep 7, 2022 · 245 likes · 35 shares · 69,254 followers View post →
Yuuko Morimoto
@myuuko · X

助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help https://t.co/nZyyWQHAf0

Sep 7, 2022 · 69 likes · 16 shares · 9,255 followers View post →
Xuan Zhao
@drxuanzhao · X

Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how willing and motivated others are to help and how positive helpers feel afterwards. Putting a prosocial lens (back) to why people help! https://t.co/rabFfYZuap

Sep 9, 2022 · 46 likes · 15 shares · 514 followers View post →
عبدالله الجطيلي
@ab_psy · X

"الناس للناس و الكل بالله" أولئك الذين يحتاجون إلى المساعدة يقللون باستمرار من رغبة الآخرين في مساعدتهم و من ادراك الشعور الإيجابي الذي سيشعر به من يساعدهم. أي في واقع الأمر نحن نبالغ بمدى انزعاج الناس عندما نحتاج المساعدة خصوصًا لو كنا محتاجينها فعلًا https://t.co/q9CUXQ6rnk

Sep 7, 2022 · 4 likes · 34,894 followers View post →
PA Psych Assoc.
@PaPsyAssn · X

Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help https://t.co/OOhwo85SsT

Oct 11, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,190 followers View post →
Pantéa Javidan, JD, PhD
@pjavidan · X

Study (2022): We undervalue how willing others are to help & overestimate inconvenience of asking for help, due to undervaluing prosociality. "Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help" https://t.co/HoNlLseT2C

Apr 13, 2023 · 1 like · 4,929 followers View post →

All mentions

kindness.org
@kindness_org · X

Research* shows that people tend to underestimate how willing others are to help & how good helping makes them feel. Visit https://t.co/RwQk7CmnpT to get your #KindnessQuotient & receive science-based kindness recommendations. *https://t.co/cCGk9cmXiU https://t.co/kGMeoZ1waQ

Feb 6, 2025 · 6,033 followers View post →
Pantéa Javidan, JD, PhD
@pjavidan · X

Study (2022): We undervalue how willing others are to help & overestimate inconvenience of asking for help, due to undervaluing prosociality. "Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help" https://t.co/HoNlLseT2C

Apr 13, 2023 · 1 like · 4,929 followers View post →
PA Psych Assoc.
@PaPsyAssn · X

Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help https://t.co/OOhwo85SsT

Oct 11, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,190 followers View post →
Arya Kulivand
@AryaKulivand · X

Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help https://t.co/IQlh0CKo7i

Sep 26, 2022 · 114 followers View post →
mvugt
@mvugt · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 20, 2022 · 15 shares · 2,843 followers View post →
Sander Koole
@SLKoole · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 19, 2022 · 15 shares · 2,242 followers View post →
Dongil Chung
@dongilchung · X

Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help - Xuan Zhao, Nicholas Epley, 2022 https://t.co/LstEtnaNuG

Sep 16, 2022 · 1 like · 386 followers View post →
Claudia Williams
@claudiawilliams · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 15, 2022 · 15 shares · 5,329 followers View post →
Susannah Fox
@SusannahFox · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 15, 2022 · 15 shares · 38,076 followers View post →
nina
@ninaglobal1 · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 14, 2022 · 35 shares · 472 followers View post →
Michelle Zier
@MichelleLZier · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 12, 2022 · 15 shares · 1,593 followers View post →
Rancidius " Maximus Putridious " Potatodopoulos
@RancidPotato · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 12, 2022 · 35 shares · 2,089 followers View post →
Lesley Newson
@LesleyNewson · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 12, 2022 · 15 shares · 306 followers View post →
Veronika Langmeier
@VroniLangmeier · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 11, 2022 · 35 shares · 37 followers View post →
Michael Blueble
@bdtngsschwanger · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 11, 2022 · 35 shares · 63 followers View post →
Qinyu Xiao
@qinyu_xiao · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 11, 2022 · 15 shares · 421 followers View post →
Radical Anthropology
@radicalanthro · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 11, 2022 · 15 shares · 7,511 followers View post →
Percebar
@percebarmarrano · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 11, 2022 · 35 shares · 840 followers View post →
Pedro Delgado
@PeterSlimmer · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 11, 2022 · 35 shares · 66 followers View post →
Ramón Nogueras
@RamonNogueras · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 11, 2022 · 35 shares · 42,026 followers View post →
Marijn de Bruin
@DeMarijndebruin · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 11, 2022 · 15 shares · 1,455 followers View post →
Rebecca Sear
@RebeccaSear · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 11, 2022 · 15 shares · 12,719 followers View post →
Gilad Feldman
@giladfeldman · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 11, 2022 · 15 shares · 6,055 followers View post →
Dr. Jessie Stern
@JessAStern · X

RT @drxuanzhao: Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how wil…

Sep 10, 2022 · 15 shares · 6,004 followers View post →
すずき
@szksgtm · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 10, 2022 · 16 shares · 204 followers View post →
Xuan Zhao
@drxuanzhao · X

Across 6 experiments (e.g., live interactions in field & lab), we found those in need of help tend to underestimate how willing and motivated others are to help and how positive helpers feel afterwards. Putting a prosocial lens (back) to why people help! https://t.co/rabFfYZuap

Sep 9, 2022 · 46 likes · 15 shares · 514 followers View post →
4QuorumSensing
@4QuorumSensing · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 8, 2022 · 16 shares · 6,371 followers View post →
ゆーかぜ
@yufukaze · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 8, 2022 · 16 shares · 453 followers View post →
レオパ
@leopa_yajukabu · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 8, 2022 · 16 shares · 1,492 followers View post →
Hiroyuki.I
@HiroyukiI15 · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 8, 2022 · 16 shares · 50 followers View post →
ワクチン薬害、シェディング、コロナ後遺症による体調不良などの酸化ストレス解消に電磁波対策も
@okadaue_dsgenki · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 8, 2022 · 16 shares · 2,009 followers View post →
†TAMIØ@おとぎ舞台クラリッサ†
@Tamio_elessar · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 8, 2022 · 16 shares · 412 followers View post →
青柳
@FBWM8888 · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 8, 2022 · 16 shares · 731 followers View post →
mammy999
@dddvdgaarunara · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 8, 2022 · 16 shares · 298 followers View post →
藤田直哉@『小島秀夫論』『宮﨑駿論』6月
@naoya_fujita · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 7, 2022 · 16 shares · 18,068 followers View post →
本名です
@MangekyoKareido · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 7, 2022 · 16 shares · 796 followers View post →
くらげ。
@Jwellyfish · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 7, 2022 · 16 shares · 263 followers View post →
mind uploading
@Yasufumi_Nakata · X

RT @myuuko: 助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Pr…

Sep 7, 2022 · 16 shares · 873 followers View post →
Yuuko Morimoto
@myuuko · X

助けが必要な人は,一貫して,助ける人の意欲や助けた人が感じるポジティブさを過小評価し,助けた人が感じる面倒くささを過大評価しているよという研究。/ Surprisingly Happy to Have Helped: Underestimating Prosociality Creates a Misplaced Barrier to Asking for Help https://t.co/nZyyWQHAf0

Sep 7, 2022 · 69 likes · 16 shares · 9,255 followers View post →
Neil
@Neil_III · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 277 followers View post →
Coy
@ZeldaEnthusiast · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 380 followers View post →
John Wilkins
@JohnWilkinspsyc · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 1,596 followers View post →
O. A.
@Royal_Ryder · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 1,392 followers View post →
عبدالله الجطيلي
@ab_psy · X

"الناس للناس و الكل بالله" أولئك الذين يحتاجون إلى المساعدة يقللون باستمرار من رغبة الآخرين في مساعدتهم و من ادراك الشعور الإيجابي الذي سيشعر به من يساعدهم. أي في واقع الأمر نحن نبالغ بمدى انزعاج الناس عندما نحتاج المساعدة خصوصًا لو كنا محتاجينها فعلًا https://t.co/q9CUXQ6rnk

Sep 7, 2022 · 4 likes · 34,894 followers View post →
Straight Man’s Burden
@SafeSpaceDenied · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 115 followers View post →
Mr Grumpy
@grumpyesq · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 221 followers View post →
Johnny Torrio
@CaponesBoss · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 668 followers View post →
Fredi Smith ☺
@FrediSmith · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 801 followers View post →
Kimberley Wilson CPsychol
@FoodAndPsych · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 27,814 followers View post →
Martin Mölder
@MolderMartin · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 158 followers View post →
KR6
@616Keith · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 133 followers View post →
Christopher John
@ChargedoesMC · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 58 followers View post →
Gilad Feldman
@giladfeldman · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 6,055 followers View post →
Former user
@dtnelson · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 661 followers View post →
Ntando Ximba
@Ntando__Ximba · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 137 followers View post →
Sarah the Hermit
@SarahHermit · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 481 followers View post →
Neitik Nīvṛt
@ntikvrt · X

RT @DegenRolf: People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how goo…

Sep 7, 2022 · 35 shares · 1,240 followers View post →
Rolf Degen
@DegenRolf · X

People shy away from asking for help because they overestimate how much inconvenience the help will cause others and how good the others will feel after giving help. https://t.co/FAsnppbyfV https://t.co/G9GmO2unjY

Sep 7, 2022 · 245 likes · 35 shares · 69,254 followers View post →