Towards an integrative sociological theory of empathy

Abstract

Sociological theories of morality have grown in prevalence over the last decade and a half. These theories often focus on developing single concepts such as identity, reputation or emotion, or they provide sweeping historical accounts. Such theories often also take the construct of empathy for granted, as an inevitable consequence of morality. Here, I present a mechanistic theory of empathy which operates at multiple levels of analysis. The approach offered can help frame particular topics in the sociology of morality, though it is also robust enough to analyse historical change. Specifically, the theory presented here is composed of sets of situational, structural and societal mechanisms. Each set is discussed, as well as their relation to one another, before turning to an explication of how the present theory relates to a selective sampling of prominent theories in the contemporary sociology of morality.

Emotional pathways to climate change responses

“…Group belonging in turn fosters personal identities, which then reinforce the stability of the group by creating boundaries between “us” and “them.” For Marco Verweij et al (2015), identity formation even influences those neuronal networks involved in perception, evaluation, and emotion, rendering our emotional and cognitive biases resistant to change (Cikara & van Bavel, 2014). Identity then factors into the social connections we each pursue, and those we avoid, on the basis of perceived identity overlap with others who appear physically, ideologically or socio‐economically similar (McCafree, 2020). Social interactions that validate one's personal identity will evoke positive emotions, motivating initiation of social connection; interactions that evoke negative emotions initiate avoidance (Burke & Stets, 2009; Stets & Carter, 2012).…”

O NARRADOR PLURAL: biografias e disposições sociais de contadores de histórias

“…Na pesquisa biográfica-narrativa, salientam-se, entre outos aspetos, os seguintes: i) a vida de cada pessoa adquire significado dentro de um grupo e de um contexto social de referência, destacando-se, juntamente com a sua natureza individual, a natureza social ou coletiva da biografia; ii) uma diversidade de estruturas está envolvida no contexto e, como tal, não são apenas aspetos micro que intervêm diretamente na vida das pessoas, mas também aspetos macro, relativos ao contexto económico, político, social e cultural em torno do fenómeno e iii) a reflexão sobre a própria experiência dá a uma pessoa um sentido de autoria em relação à sua vida, levando-a a tomar consciência disso, a posicionar-se e a esclarecer as suas opções de vida. Acresce que a narrativa pode ser entendida como um dispositivo que facilita a empatia (MCCAFFREE, 2020;RUIZ-JUNCO, 2021), talvez por proporcionar uma forma de comunicação em que a pessoa pode exteriorizar os seus sentimentos e assinalar os elementos mais significativos dessas experiências.…”

Morals and climate decision-making: insights from social and behavioural sciences

“…As such, framing climate change problems and impacts in ways that emphasize close 'objects of care' directly connected to individuals may help overcome moral disengagement with climate change (Leviston and Walker, 2020). Emotions and empathy, including care, are the foundations of 'moral judgments and principles that guide action' (Jax et al, 2018, p. 23; see also McCaffree, 2019). Framing climate decisions as part of cultivating empathy and care thus may generate the moral impetus for action by 'embed[ding] the environment and pro-environmental behaviour in place-oriented norms and institutions' (Brown et al, 2019, p. 16).…”