Social mindfulness and the SoMi Paradigm: a decade of research on low-cost prosociality

Abstract

Operationalised in the SoMi paradigm, social mindfulness is a form of prosociality in which people can be thoughtful of others at little cost or effort by actively considering those others’ needs and wishes before making a decision. One way to do so is to let one’s decisions be guided by the principle of not restricting the others’ options. Focusing on leaving versus limiting other people’s choice, we review a decade (and some) of research on social mindfulness, structured as the interplay between individuals (self) and their social environment (others). Social mindfulness differs across countries and regions; it also predicts other forms of more costly prosocial behaviour. We propose that socially mindful decisions are often the preferred option for first movers in most social situations among strangers as the safe line of action. Finally, we offer five propositions that focus on how social mindfulness may function in everyday social life.