15.9: Empathy

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 140949

Amanda Taintor

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

Developing Empathy

During the first 3 years of life, children begin to develop the capacity to experience another person's emotional or psychological state (ZahnWaxler & Radke-Yarrow, 1990). The following definitions of empathy are found in research literature: "knowing what another person is feeling," "feeling what another person is feeling," and "responding compassionately to another's distress" (Levenson & Ruef 1992, p. 234). The concept of empathy reflects the social nature of emotion, as it links the feelings of 2 or more people (Levenson & Ruef, 1992). Since human life is relationship-based, one vitally important function of empathy over the life span is to strengthen social bonds (Anderson & Keltner, 2002). Research has shown a correlation between empathy and prosocial behavior (Eisenberg, 2000). Prosocial behaviors such as helping, sharing, comforting, and showing concern for others illustrate the development of empathy (Zahn, Waxler, et al., 1992). The experience of empathy is thought to be related to the development of moral behavior (Eisenberg, 2000). Adults model prosocial/empathic behaviors for infants in various ways. The behaviors are modeled through caring interactions with others and by nurturing the infant. Quann and Wien (2006) suggest that one way to support the development of empathy in young children is to create a culture of caring in the early childhood environment. "Helping children understand the feelings of others is an integral aspect of the curriculum of living together. The relationships among teachers, between children and teachers, and among children are fostered with warm and caring interactions" (p.28).[1]

[1] California Department of Education (CDE Press). Development Foundations: Social-Emotional Development . Is used with permission