"Why We Help"

In a July 2012 Scientific American article, "Why We Help," Martin Nowak, author and professor of Biology and Mathematics at Harvard University, suggests that when a group of people are faced with a common problem or task, there are five mechanisms that can help the group move from competitive individuals to cooperative allies. His research has found that when group members are given authoritative information about the scope and nature of the problem, they are more persuaded of the importance of cooperation to achieve optimal results. People also act in a more generous manner when their contributions are made publicly and noted by others.