Empathy: A Review of the Concept [Book Review]
Emotion Review 8 (2):144-153 (2016)
Abstract |
The inconsistent definition of empathy has had a negative impact on both research and practice. The aim of this article is to review and critically appraise a range of definitions of empathy and, through considered analysis, to develop a new conceptualisation. From the examination of 43 discrete definitions, 8 themes relating to the nature of empathy emerged: “distinguishing empathy from other concepts”; “cognitive or affective?”; “congruent or incongruent?”; “subject to other stimuli?”; “self/other distinction or merging?”; “trait or state influences?”; “has a behavioural outcome?”; and “automatic or controlled?” The relevance and validity of each theme is assessed and a new conceptualisation of empathy is offered. The benefits of employing a more consistent and complete definition of empathy are discussed.
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DOI | 10.1177/1754073914558466 |
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References found in this work BETA
Empathy: Its Ultimate and Proximate Bases.Stephanie D. Preston & Frans B. M. de Waal - 2001 - Behavioral and Brain Sciences 25 (1):1-20.
The Empathic Brain: How, When and Why?Frederique de Vignemont & Tania Singer - 2006 - Trends in Cognitive Sciences 10 (10):435-441.
Shared Representations Between Self and Other: A Social Cognitive Neuroscience View.Jean Decety & Jessica A. Sommerville - 2003 - Trends in Cognitive Sciences 7 (12):527-533.
Will the Real Empathy Please Stand Up? A Case for a Narrow Conceptualization.Amy Coplan - 2011 - Southern Journal of Philosophy 49 (s1):40-65.
View all 10 references / Add more references
Citations of this work BETA
The Relational Value of Empathy.Monika Betzler - 2019 - International Journal of Philosophical Studies 27 (2):136-161.
‘Drugs That Make You Feel Bad’? Remorse-Based Mitigation and Neurointerventions.Jonathan Pugh & Hannah Maslen - 2017 - Criminal Law and Philosophy 11 (3):499-522.
Can Communication with Social Robots Influence How Children Develop Empathy? Best-Evidence Synthesis.Ekaterina Pashevich - 2022 - AI and Society 37 (2):579-589.
An Investigation of the Divergences and Convergences of Trait Empathy Across Two Cultures.Paria Yaghoubi Jami, Behzad Mansouri, Stephen J. Thoma & Hyemin Han - forthcoming - Journal of Moral Education:1-16.
Strategic Regulation of Empathy.Erika Weisz & Mina Cikara - 2021 - Trends in Cognitive Sciences 25 (3):213-227.
View all 34 citations / Add more citations
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