Work

Nostalgia proneness and empathy: Generality, underlying mechanism, and implications for prosocial behavior

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Nostalgia is a sentimental longing for one's past. We examined the hypotheses (rooted in attachment theory and research) that nostalgia prone individuals, by virtue of their greater attachment security, are more empathic and enact more prosocial behavior. METHOD: = 8-90 years), we measured nostalgia proneness and affective empathy. Additionally, we measured cognitive empathy in Study 3, attachment security in Studies 4-5, and prosocial behavior in Study 5. RESULTS: Nostalgia proneness was positively related to affective empathy among younger and older adults (Studies 1, 3-5) and among children (Study 2). This association was stronger for affective empathy than cognitive empathy (Study 3). Also, attachment security mediated the relation between nostalgia proneness and affective empathy (Studies 4-5). Finally, nostalgia prone individuals were more likely to engage in prosocial behavior, and this relation was serially mediated by attachment security and affective empathy (Study 5). CONCLUSION: The findings establish the empathic and prosocial character of nostalgia prone individuals, and clarify their personality profile.

Source: Journal of Personality

DOI: 10.1111/jopy.12505

Authors: Jacob Juhl, Tim Wildschut, Constantine Sedikides, Tara Diebel, Wing‐Yee Cheung, Ad J. J. M. Vingerhoets

Institutions: University of Southampton, University of Winchester, Tilburg University

Language: English

Topic: Nostalgia and Consumer Behavior

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,000