The arts can make us better people

According to a group of researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago, people who engage in the arts - especially those who develop no gift other than admiring the works of the most talented - are often more altruistic, tolerant, and more involved with society.

According to Discovery News staff, the researchers came to this conclusion after analyzing information from a nationwide survey of 2, 765 randomly selected adults in the United States.

Greater social involvement

Scholars have measured their involvement with organizations such as neighbors' associations, religious, fraternal, sports, charitable groups, political parties, professional associations, volunteers, and even trade unions.

After determining levels of social tolerance (by analyzing acceptance of such things as sexual orientation and racism, for example) and altruism (by analyzing data related to blood donation or favoring others), the researchers crossed this information with answers related to the arts.

According to assessments, citizens most exposed to different types of art - such as going to museums, music events, going to the theater, etc. - are also the most socially involved with their communities. Well, governments could invest more in such activities, right?

Sources: UIC and Discovery News