American lifestyles mix compassion and self-oriented behaviour

How do the lifestyles of Americans define them - by their capacity to "do good" for others or by their willingness to indulge themselves?

A new nationwide survey from The Barna Group shows Americans exhibit both traits - willingness to sacrifice and impulses toward self-oriented behaviors.

The research examined 20 lifestyle elements, exploring what Americans do in a typical month - both to engage with people around them as well as to indulge their own perceived needs and preferences. On balance, adults are more likely to claim acts of kindness and responsible civic behavior than to admit to self-oriented activities. But the study also demonstrates millions of Americans engage in routines that benefit themselves, often flouting moral boundaries to do so. Read more