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Elijah Withers

English 111

Professor Williams

30 October 2023

Annotated Bibliography

Buchanan, Kathryn; Sandstrom, Gillian M. “Buffering The Effects of Bad News: Exposure to

Others’ Kindness Alleviates The Aversive Effects of Viewing Others’ Acts of

Immorality.” PLoS One. May 2023.

The significance of this article is its insight into the mental health side of being kind. It discusses
how even just seeing kindness improves a person's day. In the text, it states that “...kindness can
impact mood and perceptions of society…” which shows kindness’s immense psychological
power. The article also talks about how discusses kindness's restorative capabilities and how
positive it is. This article will help me better understand the mental effects that kindness brings
and how it can counteract negative feelings/events.

Feldman-Barret, Lisa. “How Kindness Could Boost Your Brain Health This Christmas,

Explained by a Neuroscientist.” BBC Science Focus. 22 Dec 2022.

The significance of this article is that it discusses the importance of kindness and its relationship
to our nervous systems. It states how negative emotions negatively affect us and our nervous
systems. The article states, “If family gatherings aren’t for you, your body budget can connect
with others in a variety of ways. Volunteer to help people in need. Be kind to a stranger. Run an
errand for someone who could use a break. (When I’m feeling crappy, I bake bread or cakes for
my neighbors.) The scientific evidence suggests that such moments of kindness may improve
your health and wellbeing, especially during times of stress.” This shows how kindness can
essentially act as a “power nap” for our brain and overall nervous system. Overall, this article
will help me better comprehend kindness from a psychological standpoint and will help me
display kindness concerning our nervous system.

Mahoney, Mark. “Be Nice: Explore the Many Health Benefits of Practicing the Art of

Kindness.” Mayo Clinic Health. 10 Oct 2023.

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The significance of this article is that it discusses how kindness has beneficial effects on your
health. This article shows the many benefits of an easy-to-understand section-by-section
template. It lists the many benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, improved resiliency,
increased pleasure, reduced depression, and greater well-being. It also talks about how being
kind is something that is extremely easy and has incredible effects. Overall, this article helps me
better understand the psychological impacts that kindness has on human health.

Shillington, Katie J; Johnson, Andrew M; Mantler, Tara; Burke Shauna M; Irwin, Jennifer D.

“Kindness as an Intervention for Student Social Interaction Anxiety, Resilience, Affect,

and Mood: The KISS of Kindness Study II.” Journal of Happiness Studies. December

2021.

The significance of this article is its demonstration of kindness and its importance in aiding
students with social anxiety. It discusses how students experiencing acts of kindness, and even
giving acts of kindness, can help them gain confidence to interact in class and with their peers
better. The author(s) discuss kindness interventions which are extremely beneficial to students
and their learning. Overall, this document shows how kindness improves students’ learning
experiences. This document will help me better understand how kindness builds confidence
psychologically.

Shillington, Katie J; Yates, Julia; Vanderloo, Leigh M; Burke, Shauna M; Ng, Victor. “‘When

you give kindness out, you get it back ten times more: Ontario adults’ prosocial behavior

during the first 16 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.” PLoS One. July 2023.

The significance of this article is its demonstration of how kindness has psychological benefits
and how it applies to prosocial behavior. It discusses how social belonging is important to feel
important to a community and how kindness aided in adding a sense of belonging during the
recent pandemic. It helps the reader better understand the connection between mental health and
kindness. Kindness aids in intervening between negative emotions and mental health, whether it
be receiving kindness or giving kindness. Overall, this article shows how during the COVID-19
pandemic, kindness and prosocial behavior went hand in hand in some recovering from the
social downfalls that came along with the pandemic.
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