Dr. Yajin Wang, University of Maryland

Title: How Residential Mobility Influences Prosocial Behaviors

Abstract: With globalization, geographical relocation has become an essential part of life in many parts of the world today. How does move affect people’s psychology and behavior? The present research examines the relationship between residential mobility and prosocial behaviors. Previous literature in sociology and psychology demonstrates that high residential mobility is often negatively associated with prosocial behaviors such as high crime rate and low pro-community actions. This research challenges this finding and proposes a novel prediction that high residential mobility can increase prosocial behaviors, especially towards distant recipients. Results from a national panel data, lab experiments and a field study demonstrate that residential mobility increases donation and helping behaviors towards distant recipients.