Can empathic concern be generalized from one person to others? Another positive side of the 'one‐among‐others' effect. Issue 6 (22nd August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ambrona, Tamara; Oceja, Luis; López‐Pérez, Belén; Carrera, Pilar
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of psychology. Volume 57:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 547
• Page End: 553
• Publication Date: 2016-08-22
• Subjects: Generalization of empathic concern -- one‐among‐others effect -- awareness of others; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12316
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0036-5564

Abstract

Abstract : Previous research on the one‐among‐others effect has shown that inducing empathic concern towards a victim presented among other individuals in need enhances: (1) awareness of these others and (2) the willingness to help them individually. In this work, we test that these outcomes are linked by an additional process: the generalization of empathic concern felt for the victim towards the others in need. Study 1 revealed that inducing empathic concern for a victim presented as one‐among‐others led to see the others as separate and different individuals, not as a unitary group. Study 2 showed that the one‐among‐others presentation (vs. only‐one‐victim) increased empathic concern towards those presented along with the main victim. Study 3 showed that the one‐among‐others presentation (vs. a single‐victim or a statistical presentation) increased the empathic concern felt for other individuals in need. Therefore, the one‐among‐others presentation does not weaken empathic concern but, instead, it leads to its generalization from one to others.