ABSTRACT
I n recent years, large-scale natural disasters have tested both the public’s generosity and its collective ability to make wise decisions. People around the world appeared big-hearted when they donated time and money to help people devastated by the Asian tsunami (December 2004) and Hurricane Katrina (August 2005). Yet the plight of people with more widespread and persistent problems, such as starvation and water-or insect-borne disease, fail to arouse sympathy and attract donations. Similarly, ill-fated individuals such as Lacy Peterson (murdered in 2002) and Natalee Holloway (missing since 2005), have become household names due to obsessive media coverage. In contrast, the sad stories of millions of other unnamed unfortunates are never told. Researchers wishing to rectify this situation can ask the glass half-full question: “Why do some victims spark a sympathetic and altruistic response?” Or, they can ask the glass half-empty question: “Why do other tragedies and victims fail to stimulate charity?”
