Are children born nice?

The results suggest that altruistic behaviour may be governed more by relationships, even brief ones, than instincts.

‘I think the findings will stir up some controversy, but in a good way,’ Dweck said. 

‘People often call something ‘innate’ because they don’t understand the kinds of subtle experiences that can make something, like altruism, flourish. Rodolfo has discovered a really subtle experience that has a powerful influence.’

One of the arguments for innate altruism was that it was an evolutionarily beneficial adaptation – instinctively caring for others would result in reciprocal care, improving one’s own chances of survival. 

And there might still be evolutionary pressures toward altruism, Dweck said.