Pro-Socials are More Prone to Depression

Prosocial refers to the individuals who relate to or denote behavior that is positive, helpful, and intend to promote social acceptance and friendship. Research suggests that individuals who are pro-social have a more sensitive amygdala, which is a region of the brain that deals with stress and guilt. A study using functional magnetic resonance imaging measured how pro-socials reacted to economic inequity and found a strong activation of the amygdala.  This proved true whether other individuals received more money or when they received more money. Where as, individualists had increased amygdala activation only when others received more money. Another finding in this study was that the hippocampus, also involved with automatic stress responses, showed a difference in brain activity between pro-socials and individualists. Furthermore, this shows that pro-socials were at more of a risk for depression as they are more prone to experience guilt and stress.

Original Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nice-brains-finish-last/