Researchers say that empathy
A) is unrelated to helping because it includes an emotional component.
B) is elicited especially by seeing the suffering of dissimilar others.
C) includes the cognitive component of perspective taking as well as an emotional component of sharing the feelings of another.
D) reduces helping in men but increases helping in women and has no influence on children or elderly.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Research suggests that empathy includes both cognitive and emotional components, including perspective taking and sharing the feelings of another. It has been found to be a key motivator of helping behavior. Option A is incorrect because empathy has been found to be positively related to helping behavior. Option B is incorrect because empathy is not limited to dissimilar others. Option D is also incorrect because research has found mixed results regarding the influence of empathy on helping behavior based on gender and age.

Researchers Say That Empathy