Behavior and Neural Correlates of Empathy in Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined neural correlates of empathy in adolescence while observing harmful acts. A total of 32 participants (aged 12-19 years) viewed pictures depicting negative (offenders inflicting intentional harm) and positive (friends socializing) social situations. After viewing each picture, participants could allocate hypothetical points to either the offender or the victim in a dictator game. Behaviorally, participants of all ages acted prosocially towards victims, fairly towards positive individuals and punishingly towards offenders. Brain imaging analyses showed that viewing negative situations was associated with more activation in the bilateral intraparietal lobule and the superior temporal sulcus (STS), whereas viewing positive situations was associated with more medial prefrontal cortex and left temporal parietal junction activity. Analyses testing for associations between brain activity and self-reported empathy showed that the STS was correlated negatively with reports of understanding others' distress and the willingness to help others. Together, the findings suggest that adolescents show similar prosocial behavior, as previously reported in adults with greater STS activity, when observing negative social acts that is modulated by an individual's empathy for others.

Behavioral and Neural Pathways Supporting the Development of Prosocial and Risk‐Taking Behavior Across Adolescence

“…Intention to comfort was measured at the final wave in ages 12–30 and showed no significant age effects, suggesting that this trait remains stable across adolescence. This echoes prior work with 10‐ to 16‐year‐olds in which limited age effects were observed in boys and none in girls (Overgaauw, Guroglu, Rieffe, & Crone, ). Consistent with prior studies, we found that higher levels of intention to comfort and social perspective taking at the final wave were uniquely related to more prosocial behavior, but these measures were not related to rebellious behavior.…”

“…Consistent with prior studies, we found that higher levels of intention to comfort and social perspective taking at the final wave were uniquely related to more prosocial behavior, but these measures were not related to rebellious behavior. The relations among empathic tendencies, perspective taking, and prosocial behaviors have been well documented (Eisenberg, ; Overgaauw et al, ; Tamnes et al, ), and previous studies also reported relations between emotionality and prosocial behavior (Eisenberg et al, ).…”

A daily diary study on adolescents’ mood, empathy, and prosocial behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Additionally, adults studies show increased levels of giving to those who are in need or deserving [7,19,20], although familiarity, need, and deservedness are no prerequisites for giving [7]. Relational giving and giving to those who are in need or deserving are nonetheless important to study, as they may be more prevalent in adolescents' lives than giving to unfamiliar, anonymous others [5].…”

Neural correlates of empathic accuracy in adolescence

“…Activation in regions including medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), precuneus, superior temporal sulcus (STS) and right temporoparietal junction (RTPJ) relates to PT when adults infer a target’s thoughts based on actual or implied motion ( Allison et al , 2000 ), written narratives and cartoon vignettes ( Gallagher et al , 2000 ). Research in adolescents with cartoon vignettes ( Sebastian et al , 2012 ), pictures of positive and negative social interactions ( Overgaauw et al , 2014 ) and simulated interactions with avatars (i.e. Cyberball; Gunther Moor et al , 2012 ; Masten et al , 2013 ) has also revealed activation in MPFC, RTPJ and STS.…”