Year: 1992
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The present study was designed to investigate two main hypotheses: (1) an inverse relationship between empathy and antisocial and aggressive attitudes and (2) deficiencies in empathy in conduct disordered versus comparison group adolescents.Conduct disordered (n = 30) and comparison group (n = 32) agemates participated.Results confirmed that antisocial and aggressive attitudes, as assessed via a self-report inventory, were higher for the conduct disordered than the comparison group.Multi-method ("responsive" and "trait") multidimensional (cognitive and affective) empathy measures were employed."Responsive" empathy, a process of reaction to others' states and situations, was assessed via individual interviews conducted after exposure to video-taped stimulus vignettes."Trait" empathy, a general personality disposition, was assessed via the administration of two self-report questionnaires that included separate cognitive and affective empathy scales.Experimenter and task demand effects were addressed by having interviewers and subjects of the same sex, as well as by analyzing measures covarying for social desirability, as assessed via self-report questionnaire.Results generally confirmed predicted inverse relations between empathy and antisocial and aggressive attitudes.The main hypothesis concerning group differences was confirmed for all 3 empathy measures.Results also supported hypothesized group differences in both emotional and cognitive empathy.Findings are discussed in terms of developmental models of empathy and previous research on empathy and aggression, and directions for future research are suggested.
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Douglas Cohen
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2188632193