Abstract
This chapter offers an overview of research into empathy-related responding in children. We begin this review by differentiating empathy, sympathy, and personal distress reactions and discuss relevant theoretical issues when conceptualizing these emotions. Next, we provide a review of the normative development of empathy-related responding. We consider the role of empathy-related responding in children’s prosocial behavior, social competence, and adjustment, and we highlight the role of self-regulation on children’s empathy-related responding. We also review research on the origins of empathy-related responding, including hereditary and environmental factors, and emerging research on the neuroscience of empathy-related responding and prosocial behavior. We conclude with a brief discussion of implications and future research directions.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | Handbook of Moral Development, Third Edition |
Publisher | Taylor and Francis |
Pages | 255-271 |
Number of pages | 17 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781000604443 |
ISBN (Print) | 9780367497569 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2022 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Social Sciences
- General Arts and Humanities
- General Psychology