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the claim

Selfishness increases during periods of extreme anxiety

the verdict
REFUTED
the evidence says no
Recorded sources
0 sources for · 2 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that Selfishness increases during periods of extreme anxiety?

No. Evidence from psychological and behavioral studies refutes the idea that extreme anxiety or stress increases selfishness, instead showing that mortality salience and challenging environments tend to enhance prosocial behavior and altruism.

Verdict: REFUTED · 0 sources for, 2 against · Last checked

The analysis

The claim posits that extreme anxiety increases selfishness. However, empirical literature examining terror management and stress responses (such as papers [1] and [7]) consistently shows the opposite: existential anxiety and resource scarcity actually heighten altruism, prosociality, and charitable giving. Thus, the claim is refuted by the provided evidence.

Evidence against · 2
"The greedy I that gives"-The paradox of egocentrism and altruism: Terror management and system justification perspectives on the interrelationship between mortality salience and charitable donations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022
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SV, J. & E, R. (2022). "The greedy I that gives"-The paradox of egocentrism and altruism: Terror management and system justification perspectives on the interrelationship between mortality salience and charitable donations amid the COVID-19 pandemic.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12381

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More against · 1
Humans are more prosocial in poor foraging environments.
2026
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TA, V., L, P., J, C., T, H., N, K., N, G., MAJ, A., MFS, R., & PL, L. (2026). Humans are more prosocial in poor foraging environments.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-66880-9

Receipt History
first checked04 Aug 2026
judged → REFUTED · 1704 Aug 2026
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