Strategic regulation of empathy

Weisz, Erika; Cikara, Mina

doi:10.1016/j.tics.2020.12.002

Cited by 217Emotions and Moral BehaviorEmpathy and Medical EducationAction Observation and Synchronization

Strategic regulation of empathy

Weisz, Erika, Cikara, Mina·2021·Trends in Cognitive Sciences

DOI 10.1016/j.tics.2020.12.002

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Abstract

Empathy is an integral part of socioemotional well-being, but recent research has highlighted some of its downsides. Here we examine literature that establishes when, how much, and what aspects of empathy promote specific outcomes. After reviewing a theoretical framework that characterizes empathy as a suite of separable components, we examine evidence showing how dissociations of these components affect important socioemotional outcomes and describe emerging evidence suggesting that these components can be independently and deliberately regulated. Finally, we advocate for an approach to a multicomponent view of empathy that accounts for the interrelations among components. This perspective advances scientific conceptualization of empathy and offers suggestions for tailoring empathy to help people realize their social, emotional, and occupational goals.

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Empathy is an important channel for health improvement and social adaptation of individuals, laying a foundation for moral development and positive outcomes.
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Authors: Weisz, E., & Cikara, M.
Affiliations: Harvard University (US)
Corresponding author: Weisz, Erika
ORCID: Weisz, Erika
Cikara, Mina
Venue: Trends in Cognitive Sciences
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2021-03
Volume: 25
Issue: 3
Pages: 213-227
ISSN: 1364-6613 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2020.12.002
OpenAlex: W3113892495
Cited by: 217
References: 139
Citations by year: 2026: 33 · 2025: 49 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 37 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 1
FWCI: 3.86
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
Locations: Trends in Cognitive Sciences (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Science Foundation
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Empathy and Medical Education
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
Keywords: empathy, social and emotional wellbeing
MeSH terms: Emotions, Empathy, Humans

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