Reaping the rewards of charity

Giving to charity may not be simply altruistic, it can also enhance your reputation and reap rewards in the future, a study claimed.

Scientists have discovered that those who donate, and are more generous, get benefits in the future as their reputation is enhanced and others are more likely to want to work with them or to help them.

The research involved 40 strangers playing an economic game, with the aim of finishing with the most amount of cash, which they could then keep.

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They were given a set amount of money and split into groups of four. In the first four rounds the members of each group could put any amount of money into a central pot. This was then doubled, and split between each player.

In the second half every player would then find out what all the other players had donated to the central pot and they then choose who to partner for the second phase.

The researchers found players who gave away the most money in the early rounds actually finished with more money at the end, as they found the best partners thanks to their earlier generosity.

Dr Gilbert Roberts, a senior lecturer, said: "The study carries a hopeful message because it has been thought that generous individuals would lose out to those who take without giving, yet our study shows how generosity can pay off in the long run."