W. McAuliffe, Evan C. Carter, Juliana F Berhane, Alexander Snihur, M. McCullough
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引用次数: 34
Abstract
We conducted a series of meta-analytic tests on experiments in which participants read perspective-taking instructions—that is, written instructions to imagine a distressed persons’ point of view (“imagine-self” and “imagine-other” instructions), or to inhibit such actions (“remain-objective” instructions)—and afterwards reported how much empathic concern they experienced upon learning about the distressed person. If people spontaneously empathize with others, then participants who receive remain-objective instructions should report less empathic concern than do participants in a “no-instructions” control condition; if people can deliberately increase how much empathic concern they experience, then imagine-self and imagine-other instructions should increase empathic concern relative to not receiving any instructions. Random-effects models revealed that remain-objective instructions reduced empathic concern, but “imagine” instructions did not significantly increase it. The results were robust to most corrections for bias. Our conclusions were not qualified by the study characteristics we examined, but most relevant moderators have not yet been thoroughly studied.
期刊介绍:
Title: Personality and Social Psychology Review (PSPR)
Journal Overview:
Official journal of SPSP, the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.
Premiere outlet for original theoretical papers and conceptual review articles in all areas of personality and social psychology
Features stimulating conceptual pieces identifying new research directions and comprehensive review papers providing integrative frameworks for existing theory and research programs
Topics Covered:
Attitudes and Social Cognition: Examines the inner workings of the human mind in understanding, evaluating, and responding to the social environment
Interpersonal and Group Processes: Explores patterns of interaction and interdependence characterizing everyday human functioning
Intergroup Relations: Investigates determinants of prejudice, conflict, cooperation, and harmonious relationships between social groups
Personality and Individual Differences: Focuses on causes, assessment, structures, and processes giving rise to human variation
Biological and Cultural Influences: Studies the biological and cultural mediation of social psychological and personality processes