"I've also experienced loss and fear": Effects of prior similar experience on empathy

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
Jakob EklundEric M Hansen

Abstract

Although it is frequently argued that empathy is increased by similar experiences, this idea has rarely been tested. This study investigated the relationship between empathy and prior similar experience. Participants read four different stories and rated the degree of empathy they felt. They also reported the extent to which they had prior similar experience of the events in the stories. We found that these self-reports of prior similar experience increased empathy for the persons in the stories. Similar experience may be an important situational antecedent for feeling empathy for another person. Pointing out similarities among experiences may be a fruitful means of training empathy.

References

Feb 1, 1986·The Journal of Social Psychology·M A BarnettA R Bristow
Nov 23, 1957·Lancet·C W HUME
Nov 13, 2004·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Mark H DavisJeffrey Weihing
Sep 22, 2006·Scandinavian Journal of Psychology·Jakob Håkansson Eklund
Jul 4, 2007·Journal of Personality and Social Psychology·C Daniel BatsonBiaggio G Ortiz

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Citations

Apr 12, 2015·American Journal of Community Psychology·Amanda E B Bryan, Hal Arkowitz
Sep 29, 2018·Genes, Brain, and Behavior·Arie KimHee-Sup Shin
May 5, 2018·Frontiers in Psychology·James W H Sonne, Don M Gash
Jun 24, 2017·Brain and Behavior·Jana Schaich BorgLuis de Lecea
Aug 2, 2019·Nursing Open·Jakob Håkansson EklundLena Marmstål Hammar
Sep 6, 2012·European Journal of Pain : EJP·M A Preis, B Kroener-Herwig

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