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Mizuguchi N, Kato K, Sugawara SK, Yoshimi T, Goto Y, Takasu K, Isaka T. Age and parous-experience dependent changes in emotional contagion for positive infant sounds. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1336126. [PMID: 38601818 PMCID: PMC11004475 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1336126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Emotional contagion is achieved by inferring and emotionally resonating with other persons' feelings. It is unclear whether age-related changes in emotional contagion for infant sounds are modulated by the experience of childbirth or childcare. This study aims to evaluate changes in inference and emotional resonance for positive and negative infant sounds (laughter and crying) among women, based on age and parous experience. Methods A total of 241 women (60 young nulliparous, 60 young parous, 60 old nulliparous, and 61 old parous) completed a web-based questionnaire. After listening to three types of infant sounds (laughter, cooing, and crying), participants responded with their valence for hearing infant sounds and estimated infant valence on an 11-point Likert scale. Results The analysis for emotional resonance revealed that the correlation coefficient between self and estimated infant valences was greater in young parous and old nulliparous women than in young nulliparous women, in laughter and cooing sounds. However, correlation coefficients for crying did not differ among any of the four groups. Conclusion The degree of emotional resonance for infant valence increased depending on age and parous-experience for positive infant sounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Mizuguchi
- Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- Assistive Robot Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kenji Kato
- Assistive Robot Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Sho K. Sugawara
- Neural Prosthetics Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yoshimi
- Assistive Robot Center, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuta Goto
- Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Kaori Takasu
- Administrative Office, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
| | - Tadao Isaka
- Institute of Advanced Research for Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
- College of Sport and Health Science, Ritsumeikan University, Kusatsu, Shiga, Japan
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2
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Sun B, Luo Z, Zhu X, Shao Y, Zhang W, Qin G, Lin S, Wan S. Lack of Interaction Motivation in Older Adults Automatically Reduces Cognitive Empathy. Exp Aging Res 2024; 50:225-247. [PMID: 38192191 DOI: 10.1080/0361073x.2023.2168990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Empathy, the ability to understand and respond to the experiences of others, is an important skill for maintaining good relationships throughout one's life. Previous research indicated that emotional empathy remained stable or even increased in older adults compared to younger adults, while cognitive empathy showed age-related deficits. Based on the selective engagement hypothesis, this deficit was not caused by a decline in cognitive functioning, but by a lack of willingness to judge the target person's emotions more precisely, that is, by a lack of interaction motivation. In order to provide more evidence on the causes of empathic aging in older adults, the current study investigated the influence of interaction motivation on empathy in older adults in an Eastern cultural context (China) based on the selective engagement hypothesis. This study used older adults and younger adults as subjects. Through two experiments, empathy was measured by the multiple empathy test (Experiment 1) and film tasks (Experiment 2); at the same time, use accountability instructions (Experiment 1), the age-related events (Experiment 2) to manipulate interaction motivation. The results showed that emotional empathy was significantly higher in older adults than in younger adults, regardless of whether interaction motivation was elicited. In terms of cognitive empathy, when there is no motivation, the cognitive empathy of older adults is significantly lower than that of younger adults. When the interaction motivation is stimulated, the cognitive empathy of older adults is no less than that of younger adults. This suggested that empathic aging in older adults was not a permanent decline in cognitive empathy, but rather a decline in interaction motivation, supporting the selective engagement hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binghai Sun
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
- Research Center of Tin Ka Ping Moral Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenbing Luo
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhu
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Yuting Shao
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
- Research Center of Tin Ka Ping Moral Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenhai Zhang
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
- Research Center of Tin Ka Ping Moral Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guihua Qin
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
- Research Center of Tin Ka Ping Moral Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuwei Lin
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Simin Wan
- Key Laboratory of Intelligent Education Technology and Application of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
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Stutesman MG, Frye DA. Affective Theory of Mind in Late Adulthood: The Role of Emotion Complexity and Social Relatedness. Exp Aging Res 2023; 49:472-500. [PMID: 36284488 DOI: 10.1080/0361073x.2022.2137359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-related declines in adult affective theory of mind (AToM) have been discovered. However, AToM measures have not accounted for emotional state complexity involved in AToM. Measures have also not accounted for different types of relationships - friends versus strangers - for which AToM is employed, which is important considering the limited social networks of aging adults. OBJECTIVE We address these issues and examine the emotion complexity, social-relatedness, and contextual relevance in AToM across adult ages (18-89 years) using a new task and two well-established measures. RESULTS The new task displayed good structural fit and internal construct validity. Overall, an age-related decline in AToM was found along with an interaction between age and emotion complexity. For all ages, AToM performance was best for complex emotions. However, as age increased, there was more rapid decline in AToM for more complex emotions than for less complex ones. Surprisingly, AToM performance for strangers was better than for social companions. CONCLUSION The findings suggest age-related AToM declines are more nuanced than previously understood given that adult age differences are related to emotional state complexity. They indicate that the emotion complexity levels of basic, complex, and self-conscious should be included in AToM assessments. Implications for AToM tasks and development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G Stutesman
- Department of Psychology, 3F5, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030, USA
| | - Douglas A Frye
- Department of Psychology, 3F5, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, 22030, USA
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Grainger SA, McKay KT, Riches JC, Chander RJ, Cleary R, Mather KA, Kochan NA, Sachdev PS, Henry JD. Measuring Empathy Across the Adult Lifespan: A Comparison of Three Assessment Types. Assessment 2023; 30:1870-1883. [PMID: 36210740 DOI: 10.1177/10731911221127902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Empathy is a core component of social cognition that can be indexed via behavioral, informant-report, or self-report methods of assessment. However, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of convergence between these assessment approaches for cognitive empathy. Here, we provided the first comparison of all three measurement approaches for cognitive and affective empathy in a large adult sample (N = 371) aged 18 to 101 years. We found that poor convergence was more of a problem for cognitive empathy than affective empathy. While none of the cognitive empathy measures correlated with each other, for affective empathy, self-report was significantly associated with both behavioral and informant-report assessments. However, for both cognitive and affective empathy, there was evidence for poor discriminant validity within the measures. Out of the three assessment approaches, only the informant-report measures were consistently associated with indices of social functioning. Importantly, age did not moderate any of the tested relationships, indicating that both the strengths and the limitations of these different types of assessment do not appear to vary as a function of age. These findings highlight the variation that exists among empathy measures and are discussed in relation to their practical implications for the assessment of empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kate T McKay
- The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | | | - Rhiagh Cleary
- The University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karen A Mather
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Perminder S Sachdev
- The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Julie D Henry
- The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
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Zeng Y, Xu Z, Chen L, Huang Y. Exploring the mechanism of empathy on lens language and linguistic landscape on movie-induced tourism: The moderating effect of cultural differences. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1109328. [PMID: 36818078 PMCID: PMC9932905 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1109328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the development of film-induced tourism, scholars have increasingly shifted their attention to examining film-induced tourism from different perspectives. However, little research has been devoted to the underlying mechanisms by which audiences empathize with movie scenes. Current research believes that the lens language of movies is helpful for the communication between the movie and the audience. It not only helps the audience to shape the imagination of the movie scene, but also contributes to the construction of a virtual language landscape, and promotes the audience's cognition of the movie scene. Bringing their emotions and self-expression into the story ultimately enhances the audience's perception of where it was filmed. In exploring the framework of the transformation of empathy in lens language to landscape language, cultural differences are also proposed as the boundary conditions for the relationship between lens language and empathy. Structural equation modeling with PLS-SEM was employed to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings suggest that lens language positively predicts language landscape and empathy positively mediates the aforementioned relationship. Furthermore, the interaction term of cultural differences amplifies the relationship between lens language and empathy. Finally, we discuss theoretical and practical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqin Zeng
- Jiangxi Institute of Fashion Technology Media Art Research Center, Nanchang, China,Department of Art Integration, Daejin University, Pocheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ziqi Xu
- School of Economics and Management, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Film, Cartoon, and Animation, Cheongju University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Liang Chen, ✉
| | - Yunxi Huang
- School of Economics and Management, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang, China
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Sympathy-Empathy and the Radicalization of Young People. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9121889. [PMID: 36553332 PMCID: PMC9777530 DOI: 10.3390/children9121889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sympathy-empathy (SE) system is commonly considered a key faculty implied in prosocial behaviors, and SE deficits (also called callous-unemotional traits, CUTs) are associated with nonprosocial and even violent behaviors. Thus, the first intuitive considerations considered a lack of SE among young people who undergo radicalization. Yet, their identification with a cause, their underlying feelings of injustice and grievance, and the other ways in which they may help communities, suggest that they may actually have a lot of empathy, even an excess of it. As a consequence, the links between SE and radicalization remain to be specified. This critical review aims to discuss whether and how SE is associated with developmental trajectories that lead young people to radicalization. METHOD We first recall the most recent findings about SE development, based on an interdisciplinary perspective informed by social neuroscience. Then, we review sociological and psychological studies that address radicalization. We will critically examine the intersections between SE and radicalization, including neuroscientific bases and anthropologic modulation of SE by social factors involved in radicalization. RESULTS This critical review indicates that the SE model should clearly distinguish between sympathy and empathy within the SE system. Using this model, we identified three possible trajectories in young radicalized individuals. In individuals with SE deficit, the legitimization of violence is enough to engage in radicalization. Concerning individuals with normal SE, we hypothesize two trajectories. First, based on SE inhibition/desensitization, individuals can temporarily join youths who lack empathy. Second, based on an SE dissociation, combining emotional sympathy increases for the in-group and cognitive empathy decreases toward the out-group. CONCLUSIONS While confirming that a lack of empathy can favor radicalization, the counterintuitive hypothesis of a favorable SE development trajectory also needs to be considered to better specify the cognitive and affective aspects of this complex phenomenon.
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Gourlay C, Collin P, D'Auteuil C, Jacques M, Caron PO, Scherzer PB. Age differences in social-cognitive abilities across the stages of adulthood and path model investigation of adult social cognition. NEUROPSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENT, AND COGNITION. SECTION B, AGING, NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION 2022; 29:1033-1067. [PMID: 34355998 DOI: 10.1080/13825585.2021.1962789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence points toward an association between older age and performance decrements in social cognition (SC). We explored age-related variations in four components of SC: emotion recognition, theory of mind, social judgment, and blame attributions. A total of 120 adults divided into three stages (18-34 years, 35-59 years, 60-85 years) completed a battery of SC. Between and within age-group differences in SC were investigated. Path analyses were used to identify relationships among the components. Emotion recognition and theory of mind showed differences beginning either in midlife, or after. Blame attributions and social judgment did not show a significant difference. However, social judgment varied significantly within groups. Path models revealed a relationship between emotion recognition and theory of mind. Findings highlight age-related differences in some components and a link between two components. Strategies promoting social functioning in aging might help to maintain or improve these abilities over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Gourlay
- Département De Psychologie, Université Du Québec À Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Pascal Collin
- Département De Psychologie, Université Du Québec À Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Camille D'Auteuil
- Département De Psychologie, Université Du Québec À Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie Jacques
- Département De Psychologie, Université Du Québec À Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Peter B Scherzer
- Département De Psychologie, Université Du Québec À Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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8
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Xiang D, Qin G, Zheng X. The Influence of Student-Teacher Relationship on School-Age Children's Empathy: The Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2022; 15:2735-2744. [PMID: 36172541 PMCID: PMC9511970 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s380689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Empathy is the ability to adopt another person’s perspective and experience the thoughts and emotions of that individual. A growing number of studies have shown that school-age children’s empathy robustly contributes to their interpersonal communication, academic achievement and psychosocial adjustment. For school-age children, school becomes the main place for learning and socializing. The student-teacher relationship is an important interpersonal relationship between children and adults after they leave home, which plays an important role in the development of children’s self-ability. However, the relationship between student-teacher relationship and children’s empathy and its mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to explore the influence of student-teacher relationship on school-age children’s empathy, and the mediating roles of emotional intelligence. Methods 468 school-age children (250 boys and 238 girls) aged 8–11 (Mage = 9.22, SDage = 1.20) from Guizhou Province completed questionnaires about student-teacher relationship, emotional intelligence, and children’s empathy. Results The results showed that student-teacher relationship positively and directly predicted empathy for girls, but not for boys. In addition, we also found that emotional intelligence mediated the relationship between student-teacher relationship and children’s empathy among both boys and girls. Conclusion This study reveals the effect of student-teacher relationship on the school-age children’s empathy, and the unique mediating role of emotional intelligence. Moreover, this study further reveals the different effects of student-teacher relationship on boys’ and girls’ empathy, emphasizing that positive student-teacher relationship can directly promote the development of girls’ empathy. Finally, this study emphasizes that cultivating and improving the emotional intelligence of school-age children may be an effective way to promote the development of children’s empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xiang
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
| | - Guihua Qin
- College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Zheng
- College of Education Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
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9
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Hsu JH, Tan CH, Yu RL. Impact of catechol-O-methyltransferase genetic polymorphisms and age on empathy. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03434-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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10
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Baliyan S, Cimadevilla JM, Bustillos A, Escamilla JC, Leiman M, Sandi C, Venero C. Cultural Adaptation, Validation, and Psychometric Description of the Pictorial Empathy Test (PET) in the Spanish Population. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1027/1015-5759/a000690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Research in psychology and social neuroscience distinguishes between dispositional and situational empathy for the cognitive and affective aspects of empathy. Yet, the Pictorial Empathy Test (PET) is one of the few brief tests focusing on situational affective empathy. This paper describes the adaptation of PET in a two-stage process, consisting of instrument translation and exploratory analysis of the construct in a university student sample, followed by confirmatory factor analysis and psychometric validation in a general population sample (Study 1, N = 79 and Study 2, N = 580). Our results indicate that the Spanish PET version constitutes a single factor structure with high internal consistency as well as high construct stability across genders and across in-person and online test administration setups. We report satisfactory convergent, discriminant, and nomological validity of the Spanish PET, as reported for the original version, in addition to when explored across new dimensions, like the Interpersonal Reactivity Index or in relation to age and prosocial tendencies. Based on the above, we discuss delineation of the distinct components of emotional empathy as measured by the instrument. The work presented supports the use of the Spanish PET version as a brief screening tool for state affective (emotional) empathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shishir Baliyan
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Antonio Bustillos
- Department of Social and Organizational Psychology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marina Leiman
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, Spain
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Cesar Venero
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
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Impaired Cognitive Empathy in Outpatients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:4430594. [PMID: 34616448 PMCID: PMC8487839 DOI: 10.1155/2021/4430594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, a growing number of researchers showed significant interest in psychological and social interventions to manage chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. Cognitive and emotional empathy is an attractive and valuable sociopsychological factor that may provide protection and resilience against chronic MSK pain. However, its effect on outpatients remains underexplored. Objective To compare the empathy ability between chronic MSK pain outpatients and healthy controls and explore the relationship between cognitive/emotional empathy and chronic pain. Methods Patients with chronic MSK pain (n = 22) and healthy controls (n = 26) completed the pain assessment and empathy ability task, utilizing a multidimensional empathy assessment tool with satisfactory reliability and validity (i.e., the Chinese version of the Multifaceted Empathy Test (MET-C)). Results The data indicated that the chronic MSK pain outpatients had impaired cognitive empathy (i.e., lower squared cognitive empathy accuracy: Student's t = −2.119, P = 0.040, and longer task completion time: Student's t = 3.382, P = 0.002) compared to healthy controls, and cognitive empathy was negatively correlated with pain intensity (r = −0.614, P = 0.002). Further, the impaired cognitive empathy was present in identifying positive, but not negative emotions. Conclusion These results indicate that chronic MSK pain is associated with impaired empathy ability. Our studies contribute to offering a potential direction for developing psychosocial interventions to treat chronic MSK pain.
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Schade EC, Voracek M, Tran US. The Nexus of the Dark Triad Personality Traits With Cyberbullying, Empathy, and Emotional Intelligence: A Structural-Equation Modeling Approach. Front Psychol 2021; 12:659282. [PMID: 34149547 PMCID: PMC8211728 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.659282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This study set out to elucidate the complex suite of associations between the Dark Triad personality traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy), emotional intelligence, empathy, and cyberbullying, as the respective findings regarding this topic have been inconsistent. Studies preponderantly have relied on abbreviated Dark Triad measures that do not differentiate between its lower-order facets. Further, most extant studies have exclusively been based on female psychology undergraduates and have not accounted for known sex differences on the Dark Triad traits and cyberbullying, or for negative associations between cyberbullying and age. Therefore, this nexus of interrelations was investigated in a diverse community sample (N = 749). A structural equation-modeling approached was used to examine predictors of cyberbullying and to test for mediating relationships between lower-order Dark Triad facets and emotional intelligence and empathy. Multigroup models were applied to test for sex-specific patterns. Empathy did not predict cyberbullying, whereas emotional intelligence partly mediated the Dark Triad associations with cyberbullying among both sexes. Sex-specific patterns in the associations between Dark Triad traits and cyberbullying were particularly observed for the grandiose and vulnerable narcissism facets. Emotional intelligence appeared to buffer effects of grandiose narcissism on cyberbullying. Future research could fruitfully explore cyberbullies' profiles regarding primary and secondary psychopathy, sex differences in narcissism, and buffering effects of emotional intelligence. Further improvements regarding the measurement of dark personality traits are indicated as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estelle C Schade
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Voracek
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich S Tran
- Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Önal A, Rapp MA, Sebold M, Garbusow M, Chen H, Kuitunen-Paul S, Montag C, Kluge U, Smolka MN, Heinz A. Empathy and the ability to experience one's own emotions modify the expression of blatant and subtle prejudice among young male adults. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 137:471-479. [PMID: 33798974 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Prejudices can lead to discrimination, social exclusion, and violence particularly among young male adults. Previous findings suggest that the degree of holding prejudices is linked to low levels of empathy, while low levels of empathy have been associated with alexithymia, the inability to experience one's own feelings. We tested the hypothesis that the impact of a lack of empathy on reporting blatant and subtle prejudices is moderated by the inability to identify one's own feelings. In a sample of n = 136 young male adults aged 21 years (mean = 21.5 years; sd = 0.3), we conducted correlation and moderator analyses to determine possible relationships between prejudices, empathy, and alexithymia as assessed by self-report questionnaires. Prejudices were assessed by the Blatant and Subtle Prejudice Scale (BSPS), empathy was assessed by the German modified version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), and alexithymia by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Self-reported empathy levels were correlated with the strength of subtle and blatant prejudices. The moderation analyses revealed that the negative association between empathy and subtle prejudice increased with decreasing alexithymia. The negative association between empathy and blatant prejudice, on the other hand, was significant only for participants with low levels of alexithymia. These results suggest that empathy can limit the expression of blatant and to some degree also subtle prejudice when subjects are capable to identify their own feelings in a group of young males.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Önal
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - M A Rapp
- Department for Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, 14469, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - M Sebold
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - M Garbusow
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - H Chen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Centre, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - S Kuitunen-Paul
- Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, 01187, Dresden, Germany; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - C Montag
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - U Kluge
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - M N Smolka
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroimaging Centre, Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - A Heinz
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, And Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
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The relationship between vocal affect recognition and psychosocial functioning for people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. BRAIN IMPAIR 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/brimp.2020.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe purpose of this review was to explore how vocal affect recognition deficits impact the psychosocial functioning of people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was conducted, whereby six databases were searched, with additional hand searching of key journals also completed. The search identified 1847 records after duplicates were removed, and 1749 were excluded through title and abstract screening. After full text screening of 65 peer-reviewed articles published between January 1999 and August 2019, only five met inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of selected studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) Version 2018 with a fair level of agreement reached. A narrative synthesis of the results was completed, exploring vocal affect recognition and psychosocial functioning of people with moderate to severe TBI, including aspects of social cognition (i.e., empathy; Theory of Mind) and social behaviour. Results of the review were limited by a paucity of research in this area, a lack of high-level evidence, and wide variation in the outcome measures used. More rigorous study designs are required to establish more conclusive evidence regarding the degree and direction of the association between vocal affect recognition and aspects of psychosocial functioning. This review is registered with Prospero.
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How to become more grateful? The mediating role of resilience between empathy and gratitude. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-020-01178-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe current study examined the relationship between empathy, resilience, and gratitude. Specifically, the study investigated the potential mediating role of resilience between empathy and gratitude. The study involved 214 participants who completed the Gratitude Resentment and Appreciation Test-Revised (GRAT-R), the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy (QCAE), and the Resilience Measurement Scale (SPP-25). The results showed significant positive correlations among resilience, empathy, and gratitude. Multiple regression analysis confirmed that resilience, gender, and affective empathy were direct predictors of the level of gratitude. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis supported the hypothesis that resilience played a mediating role between empathy and gratitude. Implications for research and the promotion of positive psychology programs for adults are discussed.
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Brekalo Prso I, Mocny-Pachońska K, Trzcionka A, Pezelj-Ribaric S, Paljevic E, Tanasiewicz M, Persic Bukmir R. Empathy amongst dental students: An institutional cross-sectional survey in Poland and Croatia. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF DENTAL EDUCATION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR DENTAL EDUCATION IN EUROPE 2020; 24:687-694. [PMID: 33462930 DOI: 10.1111/eje.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
AIM To determine and compare levels of empathy and its dimensions in Polish and Croatian dental students. METHODS Fourth- and fifth-year dental students (N = 193) at the University of Rijeka and University of Silesia completed questionnaires to determine levels of overall empathy and its dimensions: compassionate care (CC), perspective taking (PT) and ability to stand in someone else's shoes (ASSES). Total empathy and its dimensions were analysed depending on the country of origin, year of study and gender of the participants. The HPS version of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy was used to conduct the research. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS The analysis showed no significant differences in total empathy level between Polish and Croatian students (P = .838). However, separate analysis of empathy items showed significant differences between the two groups. Croatian students obtained significantly higher average PT values (P = .021), whilst Polish students had significantly higher CC scores (P < .001). Analysis of Croatian respondents revealed significantly higher ASSES scores in the fourth- and fifth-year students (P = .047). Analysis in the Polish group demonstrated an increase in PT scores from the fourth to the fifth year of study (P = .008). CONCLUSION Croatian students scored higher on items associated with cognitive empathy, whilst Polish students displayed higher values in the aspect of emotional empathy. The present results demonstrated an increase in cognitive empathy level in Polish students, whilst in their Croatian colleagues, the level of cognitive empathy decreased with the progression of the academic programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Brekalo Prso
- Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
- University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Katarzyna Mocny-Pachońska
- Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Bytom, Poland
| | - Agata Trzcionka
- Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Bytom, Poland
| | - Sonja Pezelj-Ribaric
- University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
- Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dental medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Ema Paljevic
- Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marta Tanasiewicz
- Department of Conservative Dentistry with Endodontics, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Bytom, Poland
| | - Romana Persic Bukmir
- Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dental medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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Kim Y, Kwon A, Min D, Kim S, Jin MJ, Lee SH. Neurophysiological and Psychological Predictors of Social Functioning in Patients with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. Psychiatry Investig 2019; 16:718-727. [PMID: 31587532 PMCID: PMC6801316 DOI: 10.30773/pi.2019.07.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine social functioning in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and explore the psychological and neurophysiological predictors of social functioning. METHODS Twenty-seven patients with schizophrenia and thirty patients with bipolar disorder, as well as twenty-five healthy controls, completed measures of social functioning (questionnaire of social functioning), neurocognition (Verbal fluency, Korean-Auditory Verbal Learning Test), and social cognition (basic empathy scale and Social Attribution Task-Multiple Choice), and the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ). For neurophysiological measurements, mismatch negativity and heart rate variability (HRV) were recorded from all participants. Multiple hierarchical regression was performed to explore the impact of factors on social functioning. RESULTS The results showed that CTQ-emotional neglect significantly predicted social functioning in schizophrenia group, while HRV-high frequency significantly predicted social functioning in bipolar disorder patients. Furthermore, emotional neglect and HRV-HF still predicted social functioning in all of the subjects after controlling for the diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSION Our results implicated that even though each group has different predictors of social functioning, early traumatic events and HRV could be important indicators of functional outcome irrespective of what group they are.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yourim Kim
- Clinical Emotion and Cognition Research Laboratory, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Aeran Kwon
- Clinical Emotion and Cognition Research Laboratory, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongil Min
- Clinical Emotion and Cognition Research Laboratory, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungkean Kim
- Clinical Emotion and Cognition Research Laboratory, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jin Jin
- Clinical Emotion and Cognition Research Laboratory, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwan Lee
- Clinical Emotion and Cognition Research Laboratory, Inje University, Goyang, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Inje University, Ilsan-Paik Hospital, Goyang, Republic of Korea
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18
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Howells K, Sivaratnam C, May T, Lindor E, McGillivray J, Rinehart N. Efficacy of Group-Based Organised Physical Activity Participation for Social Outcomes in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:3290-3308. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04050-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Stietz J, Jauk E, Krach S, Kanske P. Dissociating Empathy From Perspective-Taking: Evidence From Intra- and Inter-Individual Differences Research. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:126. [PMID: 30930803 PMCID: PMC6428036 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans have the capacity to share others' emotions, be they positive or negative. Elicited by the observed or imagined emotion of another person, an observer develops a similar emotional state herself. This capacity, empathy, is one of the pillars of social understanding and interaction as it creates a representation of another's inner, mental state. Empathy needs to be dissociated from other social emotions and, crucially, also from cognitive mechanisms of understanding others, the ability to take others' perspective. Here, we describe the conceptual distinctions of these constructs and review behavioral and neural evidence that dissociates them. The main focus of the present review lies on the intraindividual changes in empathy and perspective-taking across the lifespan and on interindividual differences on subclinical and clinical levels. The data show that empathy and perspective-taking recruit distinct neural circuits and can be discerned already during early and throughout adult development. Both capacities also vary substantially between situations and people. Differences can be systematically related to situational characteristics as well as personality traits and mental disorders. The clear distinction of affect sharing from other social emotions like compassion and from cognitive perspective-taking, argues for a clear-cut terminology to describe these constructs. In our view, this speaks against using empathy as an umbrella term encompassing all affective and cognitive routes to understanding others. Unifying the way we speak about these phenomena will help to further research on their underlying mechanisms, psychopathological alterations, and plasticity in training and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Stietz
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Emanuel Jauk
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sören Krach
- Social Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Philipp Kanske
- Faculty of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Research Group Social Stress and Family Health, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
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20
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Beadle JN, de la Vega CE. Impact of Aging on Empathy: Review of Psychological and Neural Mechanisms. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:331. [PMID: 31244684 PMCID: PMC6580149 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Empathy in aging is a key capacity because it affects the quality of older adults' relationships and reduced levels are associated with greater loneliness. Many older adults also find themselves in the role of a caregiver to a loved one, and thus empathy is critical for the success of the caregiver-patient relationship. Furthermore, older adults are motivated to make strong emotional connections with others, as highlighted in the socioemotional selectivity theory. Consequently, reductions in empathy could negatively impact their goals. However, there is growing evidence that older adults experience at least some changes in empathy, depending on the domain. Specifically, the state of the research is that older adults have lower cognitive empathy (i.e., the ability to understand others' thoughts and feelings) than younger adults, but similar and in some cases even higher levels of emotional empathy (i.e., the ability to feel emotions that are similar to others' or feel compassion for them). A small number of studies have examined the neural mechanisms for age-related differences in empathy and have found reduced activity in a key brain area associated with cognitive empathy. However, more research is needed to further characterize how brain changes impact empathy with age, especially in the emotional domain of empathy. In this review, we discuss the current state of the research on age-related differences in the psychological and neural bases of empathy, with a specific comparison of the cognitive versus emotional components. Finally, we highlight new directions for research in this area and examine the implications of age-related differences in empathy for older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janelle N Beadle
- Department of Gerontology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, United States
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Tzani-Pepelasi C, Ioannou M, Synnott J, Ashton SA. Comparing factors related to school-bullying and cyber-bullying. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/23744006.2018.1474029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Calli Tzani-Pepelasi
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Maria Ioannou
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - John Synnott
- Department of Psychology, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
| | - Sally-Ann Ashton
- Department of Applied Health and Social Care, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, UK
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22
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Queirós A, Fernandes E, Reniers R, Sampaio A, Coutinho J, Seara-Cardoso A. Psychometric properties of the questionnaire of cognitive and affective empathy in a Portuguese sample. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0197755. [PMID: 29856825 PMCID: PMC5983521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Empathy is an important concept in psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Despite the controversy around its definition, most researchers would agree that empathy is a multidimensional phenomenon which involves a vicarious experience of another person’s affective state and an understanding of another person’s affective experience. Self-report measures of empathy constitute an important tool for both research and clinical practice. The main goal of this study was to adapt and study the psychometric properties of the Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy (QCAE), a worldwide used measure of empathy, in a Portuguese community sample (N = 562). Confirmatory factor analyses supported the factor structure of the original QCAE. Results show that the Portuguese version of the QCAE has sound psychometric properties, with good structural validity and internal consistency for both scales (i.e., affective and cognitive) and respective subscales of the instrument (i.e., Emotion Contagion, Proximal Responsivity, Peripheral Responsivity, Perspective Taking and Online Simulation). We tested both a five correlated factor structure (Model 1) and a second-order model that postulates the affective and cognitive dimensions (Model 2). Our results show that while both models present acceptable goodness of fit indices, Model 1 performs slightly better. In conclusion, the Portuguese version of the QCAE may prove a useful tool for future cross-cultural assessments of empathy in both research and clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Queirós
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Eugénia Fernandes
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Renate Reniers
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Adriana Sampaio
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Joana Coutinho
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Seara-Cardoso
- Neuropsychophysiology Lab, CIPsi, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Although aging is associated with clear declines in physical and cognitive processes, emotional functioning fares relatively well. Consistent with this behavioral profile, two core emotional brain regions, the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, show little structural and functional decline in aging, compared with other regions. However, emotional processes depend on interacting systems of neurotransmitters and brain regions that go beyond these structures. This review examines how age-related brain changes influence processes such as attending to and remembering emotional stimuli, regulating emotion, and recognizing emotional expressions, as well as empathy, risk taking, impulsivity, behavior change, and attentional focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Mather
- Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089;
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Davis DK, Alea N, Bluck S. The Difference between Right and Wrong: Accuracy of Older and Younger Adults' Story Recall. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2015; 12:10861-85. [PMID: 26404344 PMCID: PMC4586648 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph120910861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Sharing stories is an important social activity in everyday life. This study used fine-grained content analysis to investigate the accuracy of recall of two central story elements: the gist and detail of socially-relevant stories. Younger (M age = 28.06) and older (M age = 75.03) American men and women (N = 63) recalled fictional stories that were coded for (i) accuracy of overall gist and specific gist categories and (ii) accuracy of overall detail and specific detail categories. Findings showed no age group differences in accuracy of overall gist or detail, but differences emerged for specific categories. Older adults more accurately recalled the gist of when the event occurred whereas younger adults more accurately recalled the gist of why the event occurred. These differences were related to episodic memory ability and education. For accuracy in recalling details, there were some age differences, but gender differences were more robust. Overall, women remembered details of these social stories more accurately than men, particularly time and perceptual details. Women were also more likely to accurately remember the gist of when the event occurred. The discussion focuses on how accurate recall of socially-relevant stories is not clearly age-dependent but is related to person characteristics such as gender and episodic memory ability/education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle K Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611-225, USA.
| | - Nicole Alea
- Psychology Unit, Department of Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
| | - Susan Bluck
- Department of Psychology, University of Florida, P.O. Box 112250, Gainesville, FL, 32611-225, USA.
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