In one well-known study on empathy, participants were given the option of (a) leaving the study, or (b) switching places with a confederate who was receiving random electrical shocks but was very upset by them (because of a negative childhood experience she had with electricity). Participants were given this option after having been told that their values and interests were similar to those of the confederate or after having been told that their values and interests were different from those of the confederate. What were the results of this study?
A) Virtually all participants agreed to switch places with the confederate-regardless of the similarity manipulation.
B) Virtually all participants elected to leave the study-regardless of the similarity manipulation.
C) Participants were more likely to switch places if they were told that their values and interests were similar to those of the confederate.
D) Participants were more likely to switch places if they were told that their values and interests were different from those of the confederate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The results of the study showed that participants were more likely to switch places with the confederate if they were told that their values and interests were similar to those of the confederate. This suggests that empathy is more likely to occur when individuals feel a sense of similarity or connection to the person in need of empathy.

In One Well-Known Study on Empathy, Participants Were Given the Option