Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Empathy is defined as the process by which individuals consciously experience affective states that are similar to a target’s affective state (de Vignemont & Singer, 2006). Singer and Lamm (2009) assert that empathy is a malleable construct and can be influenced by various factors. Relatedly, more research is needed to understand whether positive empathy patterns similarly to negative empathy (Morelli et al., 2015). The current study sought to investigate how differences in perspective-taking and degree-of-closeness influence an individuals’ emotional response to an ostensibly positive vignette. Results reliably suggest a main effect of degree-of-closeness on individuals’ positive affect, whereas relatively little evidence emerged indicating a main effect of perspective-taking on individuals’ positive affect. Furthermore, an unexpected perspective-taking by degree-of-closeness interaction on individuals’ negative affect was observed. Overall, the current findings suggest that positive empathy is tremendously difficult to earn from a stranger. Future work is needed to determine which emotions, in particular, were responsible for variation in the current findings.

Year manuscript completed

2024

Year degree awarded

2024

Author's Keywords

empathy, perspective-taking, emotions, interpersonal, close relationships

Thesis Advisor

Jana Hackathorn

Committee Chair

Jana Hackathorn

Committee Member

Patrick Cushen

Committee Member

Daniel Wann

Committee Member

Jeffrey Osborne

Document Type

Thesis

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