Change3yourselfworldjuly2014

When

U Change Yourself

U Change the World!

Edited by Tim Murphey, at Kanda University of International Studies July, 2014

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014 2 Quick Intro*** 26 students asked some essential questions to friends and family (How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?) and using shadowing, rejoinders, nodding, and other effective communication skills, they got some amazing answers.

The question stems from research in appreciative inquiry and positive psychology.

The results were fascinating. I want to read them again! I am very proud of these students and their unique ways of going about changing the world, one playful smile at a time. It has been a super class and wonderful learning experience for me! May you be moved! …Tim … Enjoy!

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HAYASHI ANNA HAYASHI MIZUHO HORIGUCHI TSUBASA IKEDA NAOYA KATAYAMA YUI KOBAYASHI NAOTO KOMAKI KEIKO MORIYA YUKO NAGASAKU NAOKI NISHIYAMA KAZUKI ONODA SAORI SAWAHATA SAKI SHISEKI MICHI SUZUKI YUSUKE TERAO RUMI UETAKE KANA FUKUYAMA NOBUTO HAYAKAWA TOMOMI IKEDA KAZUNARI ISHII RIKA MATSUMOTO SAE NAGASE KEISUKE SASAKI HIKARI SHIBATA MASAKO TODOME MAYUMI YAMAGUCHI MISAKI Rescuing Hug UpDate Today Grey Matter Back Cover Pictures

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Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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One: HAYASHI ANNA

Greetings Simple Make our Days Happier In my case study, I was helped by my friend, Naoya. When I studied abroad to the United States, I met him. After graduating from high school, he went to America and entered university. Now he is a senior university student in America and he studies film. He was back in Japan for summer vacation and I had the opportunity to meet him a few days ago. So I asked him if he could help me with my case study. He accepted my request willingly.

So I asked him, “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life”. Then he thought about this question carefully and he said that “I think being kind to other people and having compassion for each other make a day grateful.” He likes greetings such as good morning, hello and good afternoon. He said that “when I say good morning to my roommate, he also says good morning. This act is really simple but meaningful because greetings make our feelings and our day comfortable.” Especially he likes to say, “have a nice day” in daily life.

When he talks with people in America, they always say, “have a good day” after finishing a conversation. He can hear these words everywhere anytime. He thinks this act is a good habit in America. When he hears these words, he also replies, “You too!” “Thanks to these words, I can spend great day with having good feeling,” he said.

And now he lives in a house with two roommates. One of his roommates posted Gandhi’s quotes on their wall. The quote is “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” Naoya likes this quote and then he realized that being kind to each other is important. So he tries to behave well to everyone in daily life. At the same time, he also feels good when he behaves politely to others.

In conclusion, as he said, greetings and being kind to other people make our days good and meaningful. People do not always feel good, sometimes people are depressed. However simple moments help those people. What we have to do is say good morning or hello or have a nice day. Through talking with him, I learned a new way of thinking and I also want to care about my behavior with other people when I meet and talk with not only friends but also strangers. What I say and do, even if it is simple, makes our days better than usual.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Two: HAYASHI MIZUHO

Talk to Me Face to Face!!

I asked the question “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” to my friend, Futaba. She is a KUIS student and she belongs to the same badminton circle as me. I often go to lunch and dinner with her. So I asked the question when we ate lunch at a restaurant. It was a rainy day, but we had a good time and enjoyed talking.

She answered that she feels happy when people talk with her. She likes talking very much. I think so too, but she has a different idea from me about talking. For her, it is very valuable to interact with other people, even if it is a person she doesn’t like. Therefore, university, workplace, or anywhere she can interact with other people, it is important for her. Of course, just talking is very enjoyable, but knowing new information or other people’s thoughts are also important. It is the reason why she always tries to talk to a lot of people.

She said, university is not only a place to study but also a place to see many friends. So she likes going to school. However, she is a 4th year student. She takes only 3 classes in a week. And also, her friends take only a few classes. So she couldn’t see her friends frequently.

Moreover, most 4th year students are busy doing their job hunting. It is sad for her.

The next day, I sent a message to her and asked another question “Do you like communicating by the cellular phone? Why or why not?”

She answered that she doesn’t like communicating on the phone. She prefers talking face-to-face. She wants to see one’s face when she is talking. As she said, especially she wants to see the smiling faces of her friends. It makes her happy. That’s wonderful, I think. After the interview, I thought that opportunities to talk personally with others are very important. Since I have entered this university, I live in Chiba prefecture by myself. However, my family and my old friends live in Kanagawa prefecture. Recently, I could not see them because I have no time to go back to my hometown. After this case study, I want to see them and talk to them face to face!! I’m sure that their smiling faces make me happy!!

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Three: HORIGUCHI TSUBASA

Two Heads are Better than One I got to know my cooperator in an online videogame. I don't know his detailed profile, only that he is a 3rd year university student studying architecture. On June 18th, I interviewed him by text chatting.

The question for my study is 'How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?' When I ask this question to him, he thought a little while, and said first. "Hmm... I sometimes depressed or feel sad and my friends or family help me then... but you don't want such typical answers, do you?" I answered "that's okay," but he seems he did not satisfy his own answer, he continued thinking another moment.

"Well," he started again. "The one fact I got to know in university is, our imaginations and possibilities are not so big, without stimulation from outside. Not only with architecture, but many things in life." He explained that recently he presented about designing an art museum. He had little confidence, before seeing other student's designs. After presentations, he got new, better ideas about design from many products, and he wanted to make a new one soon. "Some of them are extraordinary," he said. "I thought I designed with flexible thinking, but then I feel that is not enough. Do you have such an experience?" "Yeah, of course." I replied to his asking. "I had many times, especially writing novels. I find many good expressions in popular novels, and sometimes friends give me advice about my story. They include opinions about problems I did not notice, so they are important very much." Our fields are different, but both he and I are creators. This experience is common for us.

"So, having discussion makes our life better, doesn't it?" I concluded, and then he replied. "Yes, but maybe there is no necessity to have a 'discussion', if it was only a 'conversation', that is useful enough, I think." "...Like now?" He laughed. "Yeah, like now. And there are many hints in our daily conversation. Last week, I talked with my friend about my task, and it made my schedule better." "That's great." During this conversation, I remembered a Japanese proverb, "San-nin yoreba monju no chie". It means "Two heads are better than one." Talking with others gives us new ideas and points of view. It makes our life better.

Few days after, I had asked, "How often do you have such wonderful conversations?" He answered, "Hmm... About once or twice a month, I think. This June, I had two wonderful conversations. One about architecture, the other was the conversation with you." "With me?" "You told me the good way to beat the new enemy in this game." "That was a wonderful conversation?" "At least, it was wonderful for me. You are very good at this game!" I laughed and thanked him, but I know he is also better than me at other games, especially first-person shooter. I think this is the reason why two heads are better than one... Our strong points are different.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Four: IKEDA NAOYA

Share Your Thoughts!

I asked one of my best friends Kazuki (not the one in this class) to help me with this case study. We belong to a same soccer club since we were freshman, and he is a junior in the English department. I was sure he would like this kind of interview because first of all, he is a thoughtful person and he loves English. I told him about this project in the morning on 3rd of July and we decided to meet in the 4th period. We talked about the topic about 25 minutes in the SALC. We started from small talk and then, I asked him “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” During the conversation, I was “all ears” because I was really curious how he was going to reply to my question and I used many rejoinders to help him talk comfortably.

At first, he started to think about my question carefully and said “Well, I love to talk with my friends because they always share their thoughts, ideas, opinions and their perspectives with me. It can happen every single day. Everybody has their own thoughts and thanks to that, I can be more confident to have my own. That’s how people around me help me have a great day and a meaningful life.” After listening to his answer, I was just impressed by his deep thoughts. Then I smiled and said, “You’re amazing! Now you shared your way of thinking with me and that made my day! Thanks for your kindness and I will e–mail you later about this project.” He also laughed and said jokingly “How come you have the same way of thinking as mine? Anyway, see you later!”

For step 2 of this study, I e-mailed him that night and asked “How often do you do these things in order to create a great day for others?”

“What do you think of the first question that you answered at SALC and did you learn anything from answering my questions?” An hour later, Kazuki replied “I unconsciously or indirectly do this with others but it depends on them if they notice or not. So I hope it happens everyday to everyone I meet and talk with. That question was not too difficult to answer because that’s what I always think. Moreover I like this kind of question because it’s probably one of the ways to have people realize what their happiness is.”

In conclusion, through this project, I realized that asking some questions such as “When do you feel happy?” or “Do you make people around you happy?” is maybe one of the best ways to give people a chance to think about what their happiness is. Asking about happiness can make people happy.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Five: KATAYAMA YUI

Wonderful Life with Friends I asked to my friend Maya to help me with this case study. She is one of my close friends, and we studied English at the same university in the United States. During studying abroad, we shared the joys and sorrows.

One day, I invited her for a dinner to talk a lot about many things including the questions about this case study. We talked about this assignment for around 15 minutes, and she answered my questions politely.

Firstly, I asked her the question “What do people do to help you have a great day and meaningful life?” She thought for a while and started talking. I tried to hear carefully and shadow what she said as much as I could.

In the conversation, she mainly told me how important the existence of friends is. We could have an interesting conversation about it. We did the following conversations in Japanese.

Maya: In my life, talking with my amazing friends is very important for me. Just like now!

Me: Yeah, that’s really true. That’s very important for me, too.

Maya: The time that I can say anything with my friends makes me strong and also it heals me.

Me: Great. How? Maya: Well my close friends know all of my strengths and weaknesses, so they give much appropriate advice when I am troubled. I think the words that they say to me are always very important for me.

Me: I agree with your idea. And I think my friends often understand about me more than my family.

Maya: Right! I can talk about anything to my friends. Friends are really essential for all people.

I found many important things to have a great day and a meaningful life by the conversation with Maya. We have similar ideas, and we think that the environment surrounding us is very important to spend a meaningful life. We think that it is most important to build good relations and have fun with people. I believe that the words have big power to make a person happy. And one more thing, we have to support all people who are around us because I think that the best way to cheer ourselves up is to cheer our important people up.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Six: KOBAYASHI NAOTO

The Virtue of Social Interacting Perhaps many people have had a profound influence on our lives.

The aim of this research is to scrutinize ‘How people help you have a great day and a meaningful life’ and know what sort of things are important in our lives. In this research, one of my best friends, Ryuichi Shitara, who lives in the same dormitory and who majors in English at KUIS, helped me with this research on June 17, 2014, for 50 minutes.

He had three factors that help him to lead a meaningful life.

To begin with, to him, friends are people who make him realized that he is OK. He mentioned the fact that he has been thinking that making friends with someone is quite challenging, and has been avoiding making friends. However, after entering the university and studying really hard, he realized that he was in the center of conversations during many classes and many people praised him for his studying attitude and good results. He mentioned that it leads him to having confidence and convinced that what he has been making efforts, such as studying and club activities, are recognized by many people, more than he expected.

Secondly, being with someone is a way to understand himself well.

He mentioned that having a conversation with people and sharing his feelings with others and knowing about the fact that other people also have similar opinion is of importance for him. Furthermore, it allows him to find his true identity thorough understanding and conversing with people.

Thirdly, people have an important role for him understanding many virtues. He mentioned the fact that he was in a baseball club when he was a junior high school student. The process of learning how to play baseball from teachers and his friends, he said that he had learned the virtue of endurance and perseverance.

To conclude, in listening to his thoughts, I think that in order to lead a decent and meaningful life, every mortal being needs a person who is looking the same direction, someone who you identify with yourself, and the fact that many people have similar sorts of feelings makes you realize that you are not alone in this world. Furthermore, I thought that having integrity to other humans is of paramount importance because you can learn many things from others.

I contacted Ryuichi again and asked him via email if the above depiction of his ideas, somewhat transformed with mine, still seemed attractive to him, or if he had anything to add. He said that ‘Life is filled with human interaction. There might be a period that you are tired of the relationship. But it can be confidently claimed that there is a friend who will help you. Therefore there is nothing worry about. That what I wanted to say’

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Seven: KOMAKI KEIKO

Not Loud Laughter, But… I asked some questions to my friend Hikari. We became friends when we were junior high school students and she is working as a nurse at a hospital in our hometown. I met her on June 15 and this case study was carried out in her car while we were driving to Funabashi. It was hot, but a good sunny day.

Firstly, I asked, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” She answered “Other people help me to have a great day by talking to me enjoyably. Even if it is not loud laughter, when I can smile, the smiling brings me motivations to work. So I can be happy and have a great day. In addition, if I said something enjoyable to others, others also say something joyful to me and both of us can laugh.

It makes me happier and helps to control my stress at working.”

Next day, I sent a follow-up question by e-mail to her. The question was “You said people gave you a great day when they say something enjoyable to you. How often do you do that for others?” She gave me the answer soon despite she is busy. Her answer was “If other people can be happy by the same way as me, maybe I do it most days when I work and have break time with my co-workers. I danced with them in the welcome party. We practiced a lot for the party and it means we shared a hard time. So we can talk about many things every day. Of course, you, my old friend is the person with whom I can talk many things.”

In addition, I asked her by e-mail “What do you think of this question and this project? Did you learn anything or notice anything from answering my questions?” She answered “This project was interesting and fun because I could know a little what you are learning in the university, and it became a good opportunity to think about my mental condition. I’m going to make good use of this answer for reducing stress when I was tired to work.”

Like Hikari, I enjoyed this project. I could enjoy the time with my friend. It made us happier and gave an opportunity to think about happiness in our daily life. Certainly, even if it is not loud laughter, joyful conversations bring us happiness. I like to have loud laughter, but a small laugh is enough to be happy. I will not forget it.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Eight: MORIYA YUKO

His Small Ways to Happiness It did not take time to decide who I was going to interview. It is my boyfriend, Takeshi. He is 10 years older than me and a very kind and respectful person. So, he helped me with the case study. I interviewed with him on June 9th. He took a day off that day, thus we met in my house, about 5 p.m. The interview took around 1hour. We talked a lot!

I asked him, "How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?" It was not easy for him to answer it, because, he said, it was the first time for him to have such a question. However, he answered, "They support what I am bad at or I cannot do. Thus, I have a great day and a meaningful life today. But, to do so, only other's help is not enough. People, including me, are required to thank and support each other.” He gave some examples.

First, he works in the daytime and he lives with his mother, so she is a housekeeper, for example; she cleans the house and washes their clothes everyday. It is hard for him to do so, because he is tired after working. His mother helps him. Thanks to her, he has a great day.

When he has holidays, he drives a car and takes her to a supermarket.

Then he carries heavy bags. He also cleans up high places where his mother cannot reach.

Secondly, he has a disease. Do you know UC? It stands for Ulcerative Colitis. It is easy to make you have stomachaches. People around him, for example; his friends and colleagues, understand what he has. Thus, if he goes to the rest room many times, they never blame him. He really thanks them. He knows the pain of body and the painful feelings when it is not understood, so he understands their pains and is never unreasonable to them.

Thirdly, he said that people around him support him in a casual manner, even though they are small things, they make him happy, for example; someone opens the door, picks up what he dropped and greets him. “Their small activities make me feel happy and they encourage me,” he said. Thus, when he finds who is in trouble, he helps them. He is glad to do so.

He said that people support him in a casual manner. It is really valuable. So, he does not think that he would like to get others to support more; even though it is very few and small, that is enough for him. He said if he supports others more, he might get others to support more. “I wish that if there were more considerate people. However, only dreaming, it does not come true. Before we think of others’ behaviors, we need to change ourselves and challenge first. Supporting and thanking are necessary to have a great day and a meaningful life,” he said to me.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Nine: NAGASAKU NAOKI

Let’s Consider Others!

I interviewed two of my friends over the phone. I asked Kota and Maho who are my reliable old friends from the same hometown.

Because we live in different places, I had no choice but to phone them. I called them on June 18 and it took me 40 minutes in total. As for language, I talked with each friend in Japanese because they wished to use Japanese. Although I talked with them after a long time, they willingly answered my questions. So let me introduce their answers.

Firstly, I asked Kota “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” He immediately said “That’s a complicated question.” He said he tended to be happy when others like his mother and his relatives considered him. For example, his mother sometimes asks him what kind of meal he wants to eat for dinner. According to him, it’s a small thing but he is grateful to his mother for serving what Kota requests. When I heard this, I also recognized the importance of my mother who cares for me all the time. He sometimes washes dishes, or wipes the table after he eats in return for his mother’s consideration.

He told another story about having fun with his cousins. He said his uncle always tried to gather their relatives and they often eat out together as well as going bowling thanks to their uncle. So he is very proud of his relatives including his family on the whole. He reminded me of the importance of blood relationship and bonding. At the end of the conversation, we chatted about going to the ballpark to watch a baseball game. It was very enjoyable for me because I haven’t watched a game with him recently. I was glad to connect with him again.

Secondly, I asked Maho the same question. She said she felt happy when others worried about her, considered her, laughed her out of a somber mood, and when others were beside her when she was down. After listening to her answers, I thought they were a little vague.

So I asked her to tell me an episode. After a while, she talked about her intimate classmate who helped her when she had trouble with teammates in a brass band club. The classmate listened to Maho’s trouble and the person cheered her up and gave her some advice.

Thanks to the classmate, Maho was encouraged very much. She concluded that others who helped her when she had a difficult time were essential and thankful.

In conclusion, I found that considering others by doing small daily things moved people’s mind. Sometimes, we tend to focus on ourselves.

However, we cannot live alone. Therefore, we need to care and consider others. If we don’t do that to others, we will not build closer relationships with everyone. The answers of my two friends reminded me of that.

Considering others frequently will help you have a great day and a meaningful life in the end.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Ten: NISHIYAMA KAZUKI

Relationships Give us Courage When I asked one of my friends our class question, she answered that the connections are the most important things for our lives.

She is a member of our school festival committee. Her character is cheerful and authoritative. I asked her the question when we went to diner, and she replied immediately. Then I also asked why do you think so? She told me about her childhood. She told the story with a smile but the content was not funny. When she was 6 years old in her elementally school, some older students hazed her. She told me it was so scary and hard for her at that time. She kept talking that in that situation she didn’t reach out to anyone for help, because she didn’t have friends who would listen to her and help. All her friends were also scared. At that time she really wanted to connect and noticed how important the connections are.

She thought “if I had strong connections with some friends, old students or teachers, I would not have this trouble.”

Now she can tell that story with a smile but I thought how hard it was for her. She said that, “I have a lot of friends who may help me now.” This fact makes her strong and cheerful. That is why she treasures those connections. In addition she noticed one thing. When we help someone, they often then help another person. It spreads. We help each other, so if her friends have trouble she said she wants to be of assistance.

Before hearing this story I had forgotten how important connections with others are. I was recalling my connections with friends when I listened to her. In my case, I always had some great friends, good teachers and respectable family, so I did not have much trouble with connections. I may think that is common, but I was wrong. I noticed that it is not ordinary. That it is one of the must important things. I changed my mind and decided to treasure those important connections.

If we have a great day and a meaningful life, it is necessary to have connections with others. As usual we cannot live alone, so we rely on each other more than a little. We should appreciate those connections.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Eleven: ONODA SAORI

My Gracious Grandma’s Greatness!

I interviewed my grandmother about how to have a good day and meaningful life. I chose her because I wondered what her thoughts and answers might be about these questions. Even though she is almost 80 years old, she is very active and cheerful, and has a lot of experiences to draw from. Therefore I thought she would be a good person so interview.

First of all, she told me that the most important thing to have a meaningful life is having some hobbies and friends who have a lot in common. Also it does not matter how old they are because if her friends are younger than her, she will be able to get more energy and confidence from them.

Secondly, I am going to tell about her hobbies. She play musical instruments, such as ocarina and guitar. She makes stained-glass. She also travels and goes to the gym to work out. She performed playing ocarina as a volunteer at a home for the elderly, even though the audience are almost the same age as her. She told me that she is happy if she can give the audience even a little energy. Also she goes traveling abroad by herself and takes lots of pictures of beautiful scenes and later she shows us them as her good souvenirs. What impressed me the most was her stained-glass making. She held a one-artist exhibition when she was 75 years old. She made all the pieces! And there were more than 100 pieces of art there. A lot of people dropped by her exhibition and some of them were not her friends at all, but they were interested in her stained-glass. At that time, she felt that she was really alive and she was very glad to be accepted and thought this is a meaningful life.

Finally I asked her what she does to have a good day. Her answer was that people sometimes become lazy and just want to chill out on the bed, but she decided to set small goals and prizes for each day, for example “I will go to the gym and then I will have an ice cream.” She does this because “wasting time is the same as throwing away part of my life,” she said. In conclusion, I am so proud she is my grandmother and I want to have a good day and meaningful life like her.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Twelve: SAWAHATA SAKI

Belonging Bonds and Smiling Satisfies I asked some questions to my cousin, Megumi. She is now the second grade of high school student. She lives next to my house, so I can meet and ask her easily. We met at my house on June 17, and we talked about 30 minutes in Japanese.

First, I asked, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” However, she couldn’t answer soon because it was a little abstract question for her. Therefore, I changed the question a little to “Do you have any thing that helps you have a great day and a meaningful life?” In this time, she could answer. She said “It is music.”

She belongs to a brass band club in her high school, and she plays the euphonium. Now, playing the euphonium is the most interesting thing for her. I know she practices very hard everyday from morning till night, so I asked, “Why can you stand such a hard practice?” She answered, “Because we have a goal.” Her band’s goal is to get a gold prize at a competition this summer. She also said “I practice to play the euphonium not only for myself, but also for all members in the brass band club. I really like to play in this band.” I could understand her feeling because I also belonged to a brass band club and aimed to get a gold prize. I think she can stand hard practice because there is a common goal in their band and all of members make efforts to achieve it. Therefore, she can enjoy playing music, and it makes her life meaningful.

Also, she said “smiling” makes her life happy. Actually, it is the second time that she cooperates with my homework. In last time, I taught her a song of “5 ways to happiness”. She still remembers the song and she said she tries to “smile from ear to ear” as much as she can in daily life. I’m really happy to hear about it. She also said “When I talk to people with smile, the people also smiling at me. It’s like a mirror.

And other’s smile makes me happy.” I really agree with her opinion because sometimes I feel that other’s expression reflects that of mine.

Through this interview, I noticed Megumi has very similar ways of thinking with me. Actually, I thought she has fresh answers because she is much younger than me. However, I could understand and agree with all of her answers. I feel happy about it. Also, I noticed again that smiling is essential for making great days and a meaningful life. I firmly believe that “Smiling brings us happiness, let it show the way”, and that belonging to a group, striving to do their best, and creates bonding.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Thirteen: SHISEKI MICHI

The Importance of Interacting with People I asked my friend Takumi to help me with this case study. He is in the English department at KUIS. We have known each other since we were freshman. We had dinner together on June 18th, and we talked about this case study for 15 minutes. I asked him the first question “What do people do to help you have a great day and meaningful life?”

At first, he seemed not to understand this meaning well, so I explained more about this question. Then, he gave me some answers.

Firstly, he just answered “Talking with someone.” After that, I asked more follow up questions to know about that in detail. I asked him, “Who do you often talk with, and how do you become happy by talking?”

He answered “I often talk with my friends more than my family because I live by myself now.” Also, he said, “When I tell my troubles about job hunting to my friends, they always give me good advice, and I can broaden my outlook by them. That is why talking with my friends is very important for me to get new ideas.” Then, I asked, “From what kinds of people do you get great ideas?” He was thinking for a moment, then he said “Mostly friends in part time job because they come from different universities and departments. When I talk with them, I can learn many new things, for example, other people’s knowledge which they are studying” I was persuaded from his answer.

Secondly, I changed my question. I wanted to know how he gets happy with interacting with others, so I asked, “When do you feel happy through interacting with others?” to him. He answered, “when I see other’s smile, I always feel happy. For example, recently, I was tired of job hunting. However, when I see smiles of co-workers or customers in part time job of a bar, I can smile even if I am very tired.” Then, I asked “why can you smile just by seeing other’s smile?” He said “I don’t know because I simile unconsciously when I see other’s smile.” I understand smiling connect people to people from his answer. Also, we get positive mind by seeing other’s smile.

Through this case study, I thought it was important to connect with people, for example, talking with friends because we can know new ideas from other people. Also, seeing other’s smile makes us smile unconsciously. It means that smile has a great power to give people positive mind. I recognized even if we are tired, talking with someone and seeing big smiles make us relaxed, so connecting people especially friends is very important to have a great day and a meaningful life.

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

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Fourteen: SUZUKI YUSUKE (not in 7/5)

“Good Health Makes a Good Life!”

I interviewed my mother Takako in Japanese translated it to English. She is a person I respect very much. She has always taught me many things for a long time. She always helps me when I have a problem. I thought of her first to ask this question when I started this case study. I enjoyed this interview, because I heard many new things from her.

I asked her “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” in Japanese. She thought for a little, “Health is very important. If you have a good health, you can do anything that you want.

Of course friends, parents, communication, all of these are so important and necessary to have a great day.” And she continued, “If I keep healthy as I have been until now, I can enjoy time with you and your sister.” I was impressed with her words, and I clearly understood this answer, because my thinking is almost the same as hers. I also think, health is the best way of having a meaningful life.

There are such words in Japanese for a long time, “健康第一” .

That means health is the most important thing. Fortunately, I can go to KUIS, and study English, meet friends and enjoy communicating with each other everyday. I always feel happy and enjoy everyday. This is because I can keep healthy. In addition, I can help many wonderful people, and make them happy. Good health is not usual and natural. I may get sick suddenly, or something may happen (e.g. some kinds of accident, natural disaster, etc…)

After this interview, I translated Japanese to English and thought back on the interview again. As a result, I was able to reconfirm that I can make a more meaningful life with good health and share the happiness with many people. At first, I want to do a lot for my parents and express my gratitude to them. She has wanted to go to Hawaii for a long time, and I promised to take her to Hawaii when I start work and make money. That is one of my dreams in the near future.

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Fifteen: TERAO RUMI

Respect I’ve lived in a KUIS dormitory since I entered this university. I have wonderful dormitory’s friends, especially Sieun Cha. She came from Korea when she was 14 years old and learned Japanese by herself. In addition, she is in the Thai department in KUIS and a SALCer same as me. She is my one of best friends.

I asked her, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” At first, she was confused and thought deeply, and then she answered. “Recently, I listen to the story of life experiences and receive some advice from people who I respect.” And she said, “I’m a senior and people who are around me have prepared for job-hunting, but I want to go to a graduate school. I have dreamed this since I entered this university.”

“It is necessary to learn some specific fields, but I’m in language department, so I do not have these kinds of specific fields. I‘ve been thinking of it. Therefore, recently, I ask some teachers from my seminar, Thai department and the Asian research institute about life experiences and what kind of future I should choose.”

Then, I asked, “How much are you impressed by them?” She said, “After graduating the graduate school, I want to be a teacher in a university in the future, so these teachers’ advice are very important for me and motivate me. Actually, the advice are just advice and these are individual opinion.

“Therefore, I try not to accept all the advice.” She added, “However, in this season when it is the most important for us to decide our future, I have asked my role models to tell their stories and I’m impressed by them. This is very valuable for me. Moreover, it makes me think again about my future and I think I will be able to spend my full life in a graduate school.” Thus, talking with people who Sieun respects makes her grow up. Moreover, it makes her life great.

I think it is difficult and we need courage when we choose a dream which is very different from what others are doing. However, her mind has not changed since she was a freshman. What we most want to do is a very important thing for our future. In addition, we have to do our best for the dream. This interview and her answer makes me think about my dream deeply. I had a very good time with Sieun.

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Sixteen: UETAKE KANA

Casual Things Lead to Everyday Happiness!!

For this case study, I asked one of my best friends, Momoko. She is a KUIS student from my freshman class. I met her on this Tuesday (June 17, 2014) at lunchtime. We talked in Japanese, and the interview took about 10 minutes. Recently I had had less chance to see her since we became senior students because we are busy especially with job hunting and the days that we come to KUIS are different. So, in this time, I could meet her for a while and I felt so happy.

Firstly, I asked her directly “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life? Although I think it’s a little abstract question…” “Well…” She was thinking for a while, and she said, “Casual (Small) things in our daily lives lead to everyday happiness, I think.” I said, “Casual things? Can you give me examples?” Then, she said, “Of course, I really feel that people help me have a great day when they speak to me, and help me when I am in trouble. Moreover, when we can have conversation with smiling even if I meet them for only a short time, I also feel so.” I appreciated her having this interview, and we finished it.

Then, I asked her if I could send an email about follow-up questions at night, and she accepted it.

That evening, I sent her an email with follow-up questions. In the e-mail, I asked her two questions about the interview: “How was the interview?” and “Who helps you to have a great day, related to your yesterday’s answer?” Then she answered, “It was interesting for me to have the interview, because it became a chance to think about how people around me help me have a great day. For example recently, I am busy for job-hunting, you know. So, I tend to be a little nervous about it.

However, some friends care for me and send me email like you, or we can have a conversation with smiling if we meet at school. These things make me so happy, and I realize such friends help me have a great day!!”

In conclusion, as Momoko said, I also found that this project gave us chances to review our daily lives. Then, I was impressed with her answer to my question, “Casual things lead to our everyday happiness.”

I thought that we are always busy with something, but we should look at and respect small things that gave us little happiness. (N.B: I didn’t record the interview, so I wrote the conversation pulling from my memory one day later.)

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Seventeen: FUKUYAMA NOBUTO

How Marvelous Our Friends Are! I asked my friend Jun to help me with this case study. He is an Asia University student and we were in the same high school and class.

We have known each other since we were high school students. Though he doesn’t major in English at university, he is interested in English and studies it a little by himself. Sometimes, he asks me about English, for instance,” How can I say ~ in English?” or “What is the meaning of this sentence?” That is why, I chose him and thought he was the best for me.

We could not meet because his house is located very far away from mine.

Therefore, I called him and ask some questions. It was June 15 and it took about 20 minutes. Of course, I asked him “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” at first. He answered “Going somewhere with my friends or girlfriend makes me happy and lively. They are always cheerful and make me laugh. It is the best time for me.” I continued asking him question, “How much have you done it for others?” He said “In fact, I don’t know if I can do the same things for them, I always feel I get power from them.” And I followed up with, “So, do you want to make them more happy or give them good feelings?” He told me “Of course! I sincerely appreciate them and I have to repay an obligation to them.” I called him again to ask, “How do you let your old friends know you appreciate them and that you are thankful for their friendship?” He replied I cannot say gratitude by face to face, but I can tell them about my appreciation through SNS like Twitter or Instagram.” I finished the interview after this question and we talked about our present conditions, that is, “Do you enjoy university life?” and “Do you think about job hunting?” They were not related to case study, but I think it was not a waste of time and we talked after a long time in fact. I really had a good time with him.

Through this case study, I thought I also get energy from my friends and they help me in various situations. Like Jun, I don’t know if I make them happier, but I can say they are the most important thing for me. I absolutely need them in my life. I will spend the coming days with appreciation for them. Making new friends is surely important, but keeping the old is much more important for me!

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Eighteen: HAYAKAWA TOMOMI

How to Make a Good Relationship I interviewed my friend and I asked him “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” then he gave me a nice answer. While we were talking, he was very kind to me. Therefore I could enjoy this case study.

He said to play basketball is a valuable part of his life. He has played basketball since he was an elementary school student so he loves basketball. He got a lot of things from playing basketball. He said he thinks his teammates are the most important part of his basketball life. When he and his teammates were practicing for tournaments, their practice menu became harder. However they always encouraged each other, so he did not give up. Also they helped him not only with basketball but also other things. They talked about a lot of things, like study, family, and girlfriend. He thinks he could enjoy his school life by his teammates.

In addition, he has taught junior high school students to play basketball for a year. He said sometimes it makes him angry, but he loves teaching. He thinks he is too strict for his students, but they do not give up. They love basketball and they want to improve their basketball skills. Therefore he is thinking about how to expand their skills, and what practice menu is good for them. Last week, they had the retirement game for 3rd grade students. Unfortunately they lost the game, but his students said to him “You are the best basketball coach for us.

Sometime you were scary, but we know why you were strict. We know you love us. We are deeply grateful to you.” He was very surprised and impressed by this message.

I think his basketball teammates and students are precious for his life. They give him meaningful life. Also I learned from talk that if I worked hard for people, they feel my love for them. They notice how I love them, and it will make our good relationship. I recognized that to love people and to help each other are wonderful thing not only for me but also for my important people.

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Nineteen: IKEDA KAZUNARI

Good friend is a friend who keeps moderation I asked my friend to corporate with this project and he readily agreed to corporate with me. Therefore, I asked the following question, “What do people do to help you to have a better life.” However, at first, I didn’t utter those words in English, to avoid confusion I asked him in Japanese. Then, we started the interview.

The interview took place at the university. It took about 10 minutes. I hoped that it was not tiresome for him. Our interview went like this, although the words he used might be slightly different, I think I am not far away from what he actually said. “What do people do to make you happy?” He answered that people who he takes a liking to are the guys who share an interest with him and who help him whenever he gets stuck in his studies.

In contrast, someone who he cannot deal with well is the person who intrudes his privacy, it seems. He seems to like separating social from private. That means that he wants his friends’ attention, but if someone is too clingy to him, then he will not feel comfortable and avoid the person.

So, to sum it up, he likes friends who keep their distance, who engage moderately. I could finish my survey at this point, but to pad the amount of my speech, I asked a follow-up questions. “Do you want your friends to visit you when you are sick?” He answered that if someone stays around too much, it would be troublesome. He said, “I like people to leave me alone when I am sick, although if people never pay a visit to me, I would be lonely.” So he wants his friends not to cling to him, but to show a little care toward for him is appreciated. In short, he seems to be the type who likes to draw the line between public and private.

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Twenty: ISHII RIKA

Being Grateful and Saying Thank You One early summer evening, I asked my friend “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” We were in the Balcone with another friend and it was getting dark earlier than usual because of clouds. She was my classmate last year. We usually have lunch together this year, too. She is cheerful, considerate and a good listener, but I’m the listener today.

At first, she answered that her friends of same classes help her have a great day and a meaningful life. According to her, they often cheer her up when she is feeling down. They encourage her by giving concrete advice.

Next, she talked about her mother. She is living with her six family members grandparents, parents, younger brother and she. Her mother is doing most of the housework. She gets up at 5:30 on ordinary days to cook breakfast for her family. I was surprised that it was earlier than my mother and grandmother did it when I lived in my parent’s house. In my friend’s case, her father has to leave early. My friend helps to do some of the housework as much as she can gradually to lighten the workload.

She looked apologetic because she can’t share enough housework.

However, I think she is wonderful because she is trying to help her mother as much as she can.

Lastly, we talked about the difficulty of saying “Thank you!” to our own family. My homeroom teacher said “Say ‘Thank you’ to your parents” to class members after the high school graduation ceremony. I tried to say it when I got to my home, but I was ready to cry and felt too ashamed to say it. I feel regret a little not to say that. My friends also haven’t said “Thank you” formally. In Japan, we say “Thank you for bringing me up” formally only in our wedding ceremony with tears in our eyes.

I know it is terribly hard to raise children and important to say “Thank you.” However, saying “Thank you” formally is very difficult, because I feel ashamed to cry in front of my family whatever the reason is. However, I want to take my parents to comfortable travel for one of the obligations and say “Thank you” someday. I have to habituate myself to feel ashamed to practice that.

Through this conversation, I could reconfirm how hard our parents help us have a great day and a meaningful life. Also, my friends help me, too. I always want to be grateful to my precious family and friends.

To show my gratitude to them, I have to make an effort.

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Twenty one: MATSUMOTO SAE

We Live in a World Filled with LOVE!!!

Sae Matsumoto In my case studying, I chose my boyfriend as interviewee and asked him in a classroom on June 8th. He and I are in the same department and are the same age. We spend much time together every day but we have little chance to speak English in our daily life, so I chose him.

First of all, I asked him “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” He thought for a while and responded that getting love from his mother makes him have a great day. Actually his mother works till late at night, but she always serves great meals every day for his family. Serving meals seem to be the responsibility of parents, but he thanks his mother and feels her love or tenderness beyond her responsibility. So he tries to give some present to his parents on their birthdays or some special days, which shows his gratitude.

Next, he told me about his part-time job. He works at a convenience store mainly on the weekends. Every weekend, only two people, he and his store manager, run the store. It means he spends a great deal of time with his boss to have conversation, and he said that it is really enjoyable for him. It is because his boss is really a kind man and always suggests to my boyfriend what is more valuable in life and gives lessons from his life. So my boyfriend said, these communications are really helpful and also motivate him a lot.

We also discussed communication and its styles. We agreed that we cannot live alone, so we need someone to communicate with and it must happen unconsciously. And also communication would produce many types of love in aspects of relationships we have. We think that it is very valuable of our lives.

In this case study, he gave me a lot of wonderful ideas towards having a good life. For example, recognizing the support from his family, or having a productive conversation with his boss and even in everyday communication, these things help him to have a meaningful life.

Moreover, he wants to return what has been done for him to other people around him, he told me in a follow up question.

We should never forget we are living in a world that is filled with great love. We can share the ideas and interact with many people.

Having communication and feeling their love makes our lives much better and more meaningful with gratitude. I really enjoyed this case study and appreciate my boyfriend so much.

So now, let’s cry to the world!! “We’re in LOVE!!!!”

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Twenty two: NAGASE KEISUKE

Smiling Brings you Happiness.

I asked my younger brother the question, “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” First of all, I had never asked or thought about this question before I entered this university, so I was excited to write this assignment very much. My 19-year-brother answered that smiling makes him happy. He likes comedy (Owarai) and laughing very much. In his opinion, smiling and laughing are almost the same for him because both make us happy. When he goes to the supermarket, shop clerks always smile to him and he feels happy. I agree with this idea so much. Moreover, I asked him “Can you smile or laugh for no reason?” He said that it looks very strange but interesting.

Also it makes people laugh. He wants to be a person who can make people around him happy. I will try this.

Now, I am going to talk about why smiling and laughing makes us happy. Firstly, from a psychological point of view, they are good for relaxing. They make us breathe deeper and they increase blood pulse and blood pressure. Also, the autonomic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system work much better when we laugh and they all help us relax.

Second, the strength of our immune systems increases. If you have a cold or are sick, many psychologists recommend that you watch comedy and think about funny or interesting things. Then, laughing and smiling lead to a better, healthier life. For example, a person smiling gives a better impression than a person who is frowning and they improve our health and figure. The moving of muscles in our face also deletes wrinkles.

Through this case study, I thought that I should take care to smile and laugh every day. I have not thought about how smiling makes us happy and I want to have a great and meaningful life. As I said first, this was my first chance to think about smiling deeply. The question, “Why do you smile?” and the answer “Smiling brings you happiness, Let it show the way” show that smiling can provoke happiness. I think this is really true. The way is different for each person, such as success of job hunting, getting good score, getting MVP in the football game, marriage and many other things. I think smiling may have the power to change this world. And we know the answer to “How do you change the world?” is “You change yourself, and you change the world.” The easiest way to change yourself, is to smile, and that will very often do the rest, as it makes you happier and then makes you want to help others.

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Twenty three: SASAKI HIKARI

How do you eat well?

I interviewed my friend Takumi. He always thanks to everyone and looks happy, so I chose him because I think he has many ideas to have a great day. I would like to borrow his ideas.

First of all, I asked him “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” in Japanese. He answered, “Making food for me, eating with me, talking with me, and laughing with me.” Because his answer was too fast, I could not take notes. I requested him to say it again. Then I was surprised about the amount of his answers. I expected his answer was only one thing, but he has many answers. I continued to ask him “Why do you think so?” Then he answered “If my friends did these things for me, I would feel happy.” Then I asked, “So if your friends did not these things, what you will do?” He answered, “I will do these things first. I think if I want to be done by someone, I have to do them for someone first.” I thought it is a great idea.

Second, I tried to ask him follow-up questions by phone, but we both are busy so we could not call. But one day, he waited for me to get home after my part-time job. I greatly appreciated his kindness. I asked “Recently how much have others done these things?” He answered “Everyday.” Then I asked, “Recently how much have you done these things?” his answer was also “Everyday.” It made me laugh, but he said seriously. According to him, everyone helps him everyday. If no one helps, nobody could live even a normal life. I agree with him.

Then, we met a few days later. We talked about “the most important thing in your life”, because I think this interview connects to people’s values. I am interested in his values. At that time he said, “I think that eating with my family, friends, or partner is the most valuable thing in my life.” I know he likes eating. So I ask him “Why do you like eating?” Then he answered, “I like eating with someone. Actually I don’t like eating alone, because it is not interesting. If I eat lunch with my friends, I can talk with them, and laugh with them. These make a day meaningful. I believe people cannot fight while they are eating a good meal. And good meals make our body healthy.”

In conclusion, there are three things what I learned from the interview. We all live thanks to someone’s help. If I want to others to help us, we should do something for them first. To eat with someone makes our body and mind healthy. He told me a lot of things. I really respect him.

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Twenty four: SHIBATA MASAKO

Your Precious People Make Your Life Meaningful I asked my friend, Chisato to do this case study with me. She is my best friend since we were junior high school students. She doesn’t speak English very well, so we talked in some English and Japanese. I met her on Wednesday evening, June 18th, at my house. I asked the question, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?”

And then, we took about 20 minutes to talk about that question.

First, after she thought a little bit about that, she answered “Spending time with precious people makes me happy.” Then, she said, “I love my friends. Especially, you and I can’t meet very often, so spending time with you like this makes me happy and relaxed. You are one of my precious ones.” When I heard this, I was embarrassed a little bit because we don’t normally say these things each other. Also, I don’t think that she thinks about friends around her in this way. In addition, I felt very happy. Her words made my day meaningful.

And then, I asked, “Who are your precious people besides your friends?” She answered, “It’s my boyfriend!” with a big smile. She has a boyfriend who she has been dating for 3 years. When she talks about him, she always seems very happy. I also become very happy when I listen to her super happy story. Also, she proceeded “we can’t meet directly every day, so we always call after we finish our work. That call makes my day good. Also, he doesn’t say ‘I love you’ hardly, but just spending time with him is greater than any words.”

Later, I sent an email and asked “What do they mean for you?” To my question, she answered like this, “They always encourage me, help me, praise me and stay with me. Also, they sometimes scold me and give some precise advice. Therefore, they are irreplaceable for me.”

Also, she continued, “I don’t have lots of people who I really need, but all of my friends are special and I don’t want to miss anyone. I appreciate all of them.”

Now, I’m writing this case study and thinking, ‘People make different people’s lives meaningful.” I think I want to be special for someone and make other’s lives great. Also, I want to appreciate everything that I get from people like praising, helping and scolding.

Your precious people make life meaningful.

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Twenty five: TODOME MAYUMI

Praise for Praise I interviewed one of my friends Rikako who is in California now because of her study abroad. My interview lasted 20 minutes on June 17th by phone. The language we used was all in English because she is not a KUIS student but she can also speak English like other KUIS students. We graduated from the same high school and belonged to the same committee. In addition, her character is really similar to me, so it did not take so much time to become best friends. The reason why I chose her was because I wanted to talk with her about not only the answer of this question but also her life in California.

To begin our talk, I asked about her recent days. After that I said suddenly "How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?" to her. She was of course surprised because the question was totally sudden, however she started to think about it soon. A few minutes later, she told me that what came up in her brain was only about friends, so I asked in detail. As I wrote above, she is in California now. She lives with a host family and goes to a kind of international school there. She made some good friends who are very kind to her and also make her motivated to study English in class. They often take her to a lot of places she has not visited such as local restaurants and shopping malls after class by car. They help her not only at school but also out of school. Of course she does not know well about the places and persons there, so their actions are very important for her to spend a great day and have a good time in California Next, I asked about the case of Japan. Her response differed from what I had expected, because I thought she would mention friends in Japan, but she told me the experience of her part time job. She used to work at a shop for body care products. She often had opportunities to serve foreign customers, so she was inevitably required to use English a lot. In conversations, she was sometimes praised for her good English and behavior. These compliments cheered up her very much and made her happy. In addition, she could decide to go abroad thanks to this experience, so she really appreciated them now.

I paraphrased and made sure what she said before I finished this interview. Through this case study, I noticed both being praised and praising someone can make people happy and feel comfortable.

Therefore I am willing to praise someone no matter how small things are.

I was actually embarrassed because it was a first time to have such a long conversation with her in English. We are both studying English for our future, and this means our purpose is almost the same. I thought making such conversations in English with her regularly would be useful for us.

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Twenty six: YAMAGUCHI MISAKI

Grateful for the Moment To Appreciate the Moment I asked two friends and my mother the question: “How do people help you have a great time or meaningful life?” Each of them gave great answers to me. In particular, thankfully, one of my friends deeply thought about my question and let me know his great opinion below.

On the way to home, I asked the question to him in Japanese.

After I asked, he seemed to consider it carefully saying “Uh…difficult…” I was waiting for his answer quietly for a few minutes then he suddenly said the word, “appreciation”. According to his opinion, expressing appreciation helps us to have happier times with each other. He becomes happy whenever people say, “Thank you” to him after he did something kind for them. Also, he always tries to say, “Thank you” when people around him helped him or did something nice for him. Moreover, he has another point of view of “appreciation”. Appreciation means not only just saying “Thank you” but also being grateful to everything such as living, now here! Or breathing here and the situation that we are encountering and talking on the same train, in Japan, on the earth!

When he feels down or something wrong happens to him, he dares to think and appreciate the moment like fate. Thanks to thinking in such ways, he can change his mind like, “That is all right because this feeling will not continue forever and I am alive, and that’s wonderful!” even though something bad happens to him.

Through this conversation, I had a very productive time. After listening to his opinion, I thought that I have a very thoughtful friend. His answer reminded me of two things. One is Rast’s video and him saying “Be grateful for the moment” because both of them mentioned similar things. The second is one of my favorite songs, ”living in the moment”.

This opinion and the lyrics are always in my mind and let me be aware of what is important whenever I feel down and lose my mind.

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Their “Rescuing Hug” Stunned the World, Now the Twins Are All Grown Up

by Steven Ertelt | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 6/20/14 1:32 PM

When preemie twins Brielle and Kyrie Jackson were born, doctors weren’t sure they’d make it, until a smart nurse placed the girls together in one incubator.

These iconic twins were born 12 weeks premature in 1995. They’re lying on their bellies, and the slightly larger baby has her stick-thin arm around her sister. One baby was not expected to live, hospital nurse fought to put them in the same incubator.

The stronger baby wrapped her arm around her sister, and her touch allowed the struggling baby’s heart to stabilize and her temperature to return to normal. Today, they’re all grown up. CNN reports on a sister bond that still is strong.

Kyrie and Brielle Jackson were born on October 17, 1995, a full 12 weeks ahead of their due date. The standard practice, that time, at The Medical Center of Central Massachusetts in Worcester, where the twins came into the world, was to place them in separate incubators in order to reduce the risk of infection. Both babies were placed in separate incubators, a standard practice to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

Kyrie, who weighed 2lbs 3 oz, was making good progress and gaining weight, but her tiny sister had breathing and heart-rate problems, there was little weight gain and her oxygen level was low. http://www.lifenews.com/2014/06/20/their-rescuing-hug-stunned-the-worldnow-the-twins-are-all-grown-up/

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

TODAY [Refrain] Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine I’ll taste your strawberries; I’ll drink your sweet wine And a million tomorrows will all pass away Before I forget all the joys that are mine today Oh I’ll be a dandy and I’ll be a rover You’ll know who I am by the song that I sing I’ll feast at your table; I’ll sleep in your clover Who cares what tomorrow will bring [Refrain] I can’ be contented with yesterday’s glories I can’t live on promises winter to spring Today is my moment and now is my story I’ll laugh and I’ll cry and I’ll sing [Refrain]

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The More Gray Matter You Have, the More Altruistic You Are http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120711123005.htm ScienceDaily (July 11, 2012) --- The volume of a small brain region influences one's predisposition for altruistic behavior. Researchers from the University of Zurich show that people who behave more altruistically than others have more gray matter at the junction between the parietal and temporal lobe, thus showing for the first time that there is a connection between brain anatomy, brain activity and altruistic behavior.

Why are some people very selfish and others very altruistic? Previous studies indicated that social categories like gender, income or education can hardly explain differences in altruistic behavior. Recent neuroscience studies have demonstrated that differences in brain structure might be linked to differences in personality traits and abilities. Now, for the first time, a team of researchers from the University of Zurich headed by Ernst Fehr, Director of the Department of Economics, show that there is a connection between brain anatomy and altruistic behavior.

To investigate whether differences in altruistic behavior have neurobiological causes, volunteers were to divide money between themselves and an anonymous other person. The participants always had the option of sacrificing a certain portion of the money for the benefit of the other person. Such a sacrifice can be deemed altruistic because it helps someone else at one's own expense. The researchers found major differences in this respect: Some participants were almost never willing to sacrifice money to benefit others while others behaved very altruistically. *More gray matter* The aim of the study, however, was to find out why there are such differences.

Previous studies had shown that a certain region of the brain -- the place where the parietal and temporal lobes meet -- is linked to the ability to put oneself in someone else's shoes in order to understand their thoughts and feelings.

Altruism is probably closely related to this ability. Consequently, the researchers suspected that individual differences in this part of the brain might be linked to differences in altruistic behavior. And, according to Yosuke Morishima, a postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Economics at the University of Zurich, they were right: "People who behaved more altruistically also had a higher proportion of gray matter at the junction between the parietal and temporal lobes."

Changing the World Class -- KUIS July 2014

Building together‌ the Da Vinci Bridges

Celebrating together

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