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Cited by 377Action Observation and SynchronizationNeuroendocrine regulation and behaviorNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 91 of the 92 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Multidimensional assessment of empathic abilities: Neural correlates and gender differences

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Derntl, Birgit, Finkelmeyer, Andreas, Eickhoff, Simon, Kellermann, Thilo, Falkenberg, Dania I., Schneider, Frank, Habel, Ute·2010·Psychoneuroendocrinology
DOI 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.10.006
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Abstract

Empathy is a multidimensional construct and comprises the ability to perceive, understand and feel the emotional states of others. Gender differences have been reported for various aspects of emotional and cognitive behaviors including theory of mind. However, although empathy is not a single ability but a complex behavioral competency including different components, most studies relied on single aspects of empathy, such as perspective taking or emotion perception. To extend those findings we developed three paradigms to assess all three core components of empathy (emotion recognition, perspective taking and affective responsiveness) and clarify to which extent gender affects the neural correlates of empathic abilities. A functional MRI study was performed with 12 females (6 during their follicular phase, 6 during their luteal phase) and 12 males, measuring these tasks as well as self-report empathy questionnaires. Data analyses revealed no significant gender differences in behavioral performance, but females rated themselves as more empathic than males in the self-report questionnaires. Analyses of functional data revealed distinct neural networks in females and males, and females showed stronger neural activation across all three empathy tasks in emotion-related areas, including the amygdala. Exploratory analysis of possible hormonal effects indicated stronger amygdala activation in females during their follicular phase supporting previous data suggesting higher social sensitivity and thus facilitated socio-emotional behavior. Hence, our data support the assumption that females and males rely on divergent processing strategies when solving emotional tasks: while females seem to recruit more emotion and self-related regions, males activate more cortical, rather cognitive-related areas.

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  1. Lehrl, 1996, Der MWT-ein Intelligenztest für die ärztliche Praxis, Praxis für Neurologie und Psychiatrie, 7, 488

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Metadata

Authors
Derntl, B., Finkelmeyer, A., Eickhoff, S., Kellermann, T., Falkenberg, D. I., Schneider, F., & Habel, U.
Affiliations
  • University of Vienna (AT)
  • RWTH Aachen University (DE)
  • Forschungszentrum Jülich (DE)
  • Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (DE)
Corresponding author
Derntl, Birgit
ORCID
Venue
Psychoneuroendocrinology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-01
Volume
35
Issue
1
Pages
67-82
ISSN
0306-4530 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.10.006
OpenAlex
W2086539848
Cited by
377
References
92
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 30 · 2019: 23 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 30 · 2015: 34 · 2014: 29 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 34
FWCI
26.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Psychoneuroendocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • JuSER (Forschungszentrum Jülich) (submittedVersion)
  • RWTH Publications (RWTH Aachen) (submittedVersion)
  • Newcastle University ePrints (Newcastle Univesity)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
empathy, gender differences, emotion recognition, perspective taking, emotional responsiveness, neural correlates, amygdala, menstrual cycle, follicular phase, luteal phase, self-reported empathy, theory of mind, social sensitivity
MeSH terms
Adult, Brain, Cognition, Data Interpretation, Statistical, Emotions, Empathy, Female, Humans, Image Processing, Computer-Assisted, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Menstruation, Nerve Net, Nervous System Physiological Phenomena, Neuropsychological Tests, Psychomotor Performance, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Characteristics, Recognition, Psychology, Young Adult, Executive Function

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