The Role of Empathy in Improving Intergroup Relations

Abstract

This article analyzes the role that empathy can play in improving intergroup relations. Three types of empathy are defined: cognitive empathy and two types of emotional empathy, reactive and parallel. Research indicating that empathy causes prosocial behavior is reviewed, along with studies indicating that training can be used to increase levels of empathic skills. Intergroup relations programs that employ empathy are also reviewed. Studies of the effects of empathizing with outgroup members on prejudice are discussed, and several processes by which empathy may mediate changes in prejudice are presented (e.g., reducing perceived dissimilarity and anxiety concerning the outgroup) and cognitive dissonance. The ways in which empathy can be introduced into intergroup relations programs are discussed, along with a series of recommendations for its implementation.Granma said you couldn't love something you didn't understand. -Carter, 1976, p. 38 Prejudice has proven to be an enduring and intractable enemy. It is in the nature of prejudice, defined here as negative attitudes toward social groups, to create a psychological distance between the prejudiced person and the target of his or her prejudice. Prejudice alienates people from the targets of their hostility. As a consequence, people make little or no attempt to understand the people toward whom they are prejudiced. And their dislike for members of the other group makes it difficult for people who are prejudiced to take the perspective of members of the other group. This article is an attempt to explore the proposition that narrowing the

Acquisition and Development of a Shared Psychological Intergroup Repertoire in a Context of an Intractable Conflict

“…2000 ;Pettigrew & Tropp, 2006 ;Simpson & Yinger 1985 ;Stephan & Stephan, 2001 ). Instead, we chose to highlight a number of principles for changing the SPIRs developed by children and adolescents in societies that, after long years of experiencing intractable confl ict, wish to embark on a reconciliation and peace process.…”

A Multi-Level Conceptualization of Empathy to Explain How Diversity Increases Group Performance

“…Diverse organizations could emphasize the importance of empathy by implementing training programs that focus on inducing empathy among employees (Stephan & Finlay, 1999). A number of studies have shown that it is possible to increase levels of empathy through a variety of training programs (Crabb, Moracco, & Bender, 1983;Goldstein & Michaels, 1985).…”

The Contributing Role of Prevalent Belief Systems to Intergroup Attitudes and Behaviors

“…The research on polyculturalism is relatively recent, and, to the best of the authors' knowledge, has been limited to studies of adults in the United States, Rosenthal, Levy, & Moss, 2012). All three beliefs have been expected to promote intergroup harmony and therefore have been discussed and sometimes directly tested as prejudice reduction tools in schools and the workplace (e.g., see Stephan et al, 2001;Zirkel, 2008).…”

“…Multiculturalism is often socialized through events (e.g., Black History Month in the United States), programs (e.g., intergroup dialogue groups), or stand-alone seminars in schools that highlight the history, culture, and contribution of particular racial/ethnic groups (for a review, see Stephan & Stephan, 2001;Stephan et al, 2004).…”