Cited by 958Primate Behavior and EcologyAction Observation and SynchronizationChild and Animal Learning Development

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Mammalian empathy: behavioural manifestations and neural basis

de Waal, Frans B. M., Preston, Stephanie D.·2017·Nature Reviews Neuroscience

DOI 10.1038/nrn.2017.72

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Abstract

Recent research on empathy in humans and other mammals seeks to dissociate emotional and cognitive empathy. These forms, however, remain interconnected in evolution, across species and at the level of neural mechanisms. New data have facilitated the development of empathy models such as the perception-action model (PAM) and mirror-neuron theories. According to the PAM, the emotional states of others are understood through personal, embodied representations that allow empathy and accuracy to increase based on the observer's past experiences. In this Review, we discuss the latest evidence from studies carried out across a wide range of species, including studies on yawn contagion, consolation, aid-giving and contagious physiological affect, and we summarize neuroscientific data on representations related to another's state.

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Background
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Background
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BackgroundInfluential
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Background
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Background
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BackgroundResultInfluential
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Background
Behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroimmune changes associated with social buffering and stress contagion
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“At the core of empathetic responses in most mammalian pecies, including humans, there is the affective empathy network , inluding bilateral anterior insula (AI) and anterior mid-cingulate corex (aMCC) ( De Waal and Preston, 2017 ; Shamay-Tsoory, 2011 ).”
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“Not only humans, but also other social animal species use this important cognitive tool [Panksepp and Panksepp, 2013; de Waal and Preston, 2017].”
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“Empathic abilities promote prosocial and cooperative behaviors and enable people to navigate the social world they live in (de Waal and Preston 2017; Preston and de Waal 2002).”
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“Abbreviations ASD: Autism spectrum disorder; PAM: Perception–action mechanism; ANOVA: Analyses of variance.”
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Genetic factors associated with empathy in humans and mice
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Authors: de Waal, F. B. M., & Preston, S. D.
Affiliations: University of Michigan (US)
ORCID: Preston, Stephanie D.
Venue: Nature Reviews Neuroscience
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2017-06-29
Volume: 18
Issue: 8
Pages: 498-509
ISSN: 1471-003X (ISSN-L)
1471-0048
DOI: 10.1038/nrn.2017.72
OpenAlex: W2732246028
Cited by: 957
References: 142
Citations by year: 2026: 97 · 2025: 111 · 2024: 149 · 2023: 119 · 2022: 132 · 2021: 120 · 2020: 92 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 50 · 2017: 13
FWCI: 9.86
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Nature reviews. Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: University of Michigan
Topics: Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Primate Behavior and Ecology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Action Observation and Synchronization
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
Keywords: empathy, affective empathy, cognitive empathy, perception-action model, mirror neurons, mirror neuron theory, consolation, neural basis of empathy, interspecies empathy, embodied representations, evolution of empathy
MeSH terms: Animals, Behavior, Animal, Brain, Emotions, Empathy, Biological Evolution, Humans, Mammals, Models, Neurological, Mirror Neurons

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Mammalian empathy: behavioural manifestations and neural basis

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