Prosocial behavior and empathy-related responding: Relations to children's well-being

Tracy Spinrad, Nancy Eisenberg

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Moral emotions and behavior are thought to play an important role in individuals' well-being. We begin this chapter by defining moral behavior and differentiating between the empathy-related responses of empathy, sympathy, and personal distress. Next, we discuss associations between individuals' emotions and empathy-related responding (a broad term that encompasses empathy, sympathy, and personal distress), with a focus on both positive and negative emotions. We also discuss the relations of empathy and sympathy to high social competence and low problem behavior. The associations reported in this chapter highlight the importance of these social-emotional constructs in understanding the development of the Happy Mind.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Happy Mind
Subtitle of host publicationCognitive Contributions to Well-Being
PublisherSpringer International Publishing
Pages331-347
Number of pages17
ISBN (Electronic)9783319587639
ISBN (Print)9783319587615
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 28 2017

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology
  • General Social Sciences

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