RESEARCH PROPOSAL

(The relationship between Empathy and Prosocial behavior)

SUBMITTED BY
NAFEES

SUBMITTED TO
MA’AM IRUM MIR

DEPARTMENT
PSYCHOLOGY

WOMEN UNIVERSITY MARDAN

 (Relationship between empathy and prosocial behavior)
Chapter 1.
Introduction
The last two decades have seen tremendous growth in the study of empathy as an
explanation for prosocial behavior. Empathy is a basic human ability that promotes mutual
understanding and allows human beings to share the experience of others, even across cultural
boundaries. Empathy is absolutely essential to human interactions at both the individual and
societal levels as it enables peoples to share and understand other people’s feelings, therefore
making cooperation easier.(Fabes et al., 2006)
Empathy represents a key survival skill, as animals like humans and other mammals who sense
and seek to aid each other when in distress. (Charles Darwin 1872-1965).
Empathy as a specific emotional reaction to another’s emotional states has importance for human
life in several ways. It creates an important connection between individuals, and therefore
concepts of empathy are crucial for a better understanding of social behavior. It has particular
functional importance for prosocial motivation and behavior. (Lazarus 1991).
Empathy is one factor that contributes to prosocial behavior. Empathy is an emotional response
that comes from feeling the emotional state of another individual. Empathy also involves the
ability to take on the perspective of another. (Feshbach, 1997)
Empathy serves as an important motivator of prosocial behavior that include different kind of
behaviors, for example helping,sharing, and comforting and aims to help a person become better
physically and psychologically, and make a better relationship between individuals (Istiana,
2016)
Empathic process does not mean to become like the other (i.e., think like him) but to be with the
other,trying to fully understand the subjective experience of another person, from his point of
view without assuming it as his own. Entering into resonance with the emotional state of another
individual undoubtedly leads to a strong bond for sharing experiences and thoughts. Being able
to understand the mind and emotional states of our conspecifics is fundamental to life,
contributes to the success of social relationship because it allows us to communicate, understand
and predict the behaviors and reactions of others. This ability to resonance within others feelings
allows a better understanding and the ability to promote prosocial behaviors. (Batson et al.,
2011)
Empathy

Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another
person, animal, or fictional character. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing
relationships and behaving compassionately. It involves experiencing another person’s point of
view, rather than just one’s own, and enables prosocial or helping behaviors that come from
within, rather than being forced.( Edith Stein, 1982)
Empathy is the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their
point of view, and imagine ourself in their place. Essentially, it is putting our self in someone
else's position and feeling what they must be feeling.

When we see another person suffering, we might be able to instantly envision our self in the
other person's place and feel sympathy for what they are going through.

While people are generally pretty well-attuned to their own feelings and emotions, getting into
someone else's head can be a bit more difficult. The ability to feel empathy allows people to
"walk a mile in another's shoes," so to speak. It permits people to understand the emotions that
others are feeling. (Kendra cherry,Amy morin,LCSW)

Prosocial behavior

Prosocial behaviors are those intended to help other people. These actions are characterized by a
concern for the rights, feelings, and welfare of other people. Behaviors that can be described as
prosocial include feeling empathy and concern for others.
Prosocial behavior includes a wide range of actions such as helping, sharing, comforting, and
cooperating. The term itself originated during the 1970s and was introduced by social scientists
as an antonym for the term antisocial behavior.
Prosocial behavior refers to "voluntary actions that are intended to help or benefit another
individual or group of individuals" (Eisenberg and Mussen 1989). This definition refers to
consequences of a doer's actions rather than the motivations behind those actions. These
behaviors include a broad range of activities: sharing, comforting, rescuing, and
helping. (Eisenberg and Mussen 1989).
Literature Review

(MC Mahon, et al., 2006) Studied empathy and prosocial behavior among a sample of low-
income, urban African American early adolescents in Grades 5 through 8. Data on prosocial
behaviors were obtained from both adolescents and teachers. The authors found that older
students and students higher in empathy displayed more prosocial behavior. The authors
speculate that prosocial behavior may increase with age and that empathy also may increase with
age. They also suggests that girls reported higher level of empathy than boys.

(Eisenberg et al., 2010) Their research show that toddlers and young children respond with
empathic concern toward others and that this empathic concern motivates prosocial behavior.
Typically, infants see a parent or stranger experience a negative situation (bumping her knee
against a table, for instance) and overtly showing pain, distress, or sadness. In such situations,
infants as young as 14 months of age show concern in their facial and vocal expressions and
often attempt to alleviate the victim’s distress by comforting helping, or sharing with her.
Moreover the empathic concern that infants and toddlers show in these situations correlates
positively with their prosocial behavior toward the victim.

(Parnes et al., 2006) Studied the relationship between empathy and prosocial behavior in a
sample of African American youth in early adolescence. They also looked at whether this
relationship differed for boys and girls. The authors found that empathy was associated with
prosocial behavior. Also, while the relationship between empathy and prosocial behavior was
significant for both males and females.
(Eisenberg, 1986) Conducted a study overall research has shown that empathy is important for
the development of prosocial behavior. However prosocial behavior can be the result of
numerous factors besides empathy, including guilt or moral principle, desire for personal gain or
social recognition or even emotional relief, as when uncomfortable feelings arise from a
distressing situation and we take action to improve that situation to help ourselves feel better. If
we are on the receiving end of a prosocial behavior, that is when someone is being caring,
thoughtful supportive or helping we may not be all that concerned with why. However
understanding the why of prosocial behaviors can help us to learn how to be prosocial and how
to activate prosocial behaviors in others.
(Holland et al., 2004) One of the key pieces to empathy, mirroring may be directly linked to
prosocial behavior. Research has found that imitation increases prosocial behavior.They
conducted a study that involved asking random passersby for directions to a train station that was
a fifteen to twenty minute walk away, when the researcher mirrored their posture, facial
expressions, and speech the passersby were more inclined to accompany the researcher to the
train station than they were if they were not mimicked. The researcher concluded that mimicry
not only makes people more helpful when it comes to small favors, but also allows them to
ignore the substancial costs possibly involved in helping others.

Rationale
The purpose of this study is to find out the relationship between empathy and pro social
behavior.we will find out if there is positive relationship between empathy and pro social
behavior.we have study a lot of researches and we find that there is positive relationship between
empathy and pro social behavior.And we will determine that is empathy is really lead to
prosocial behavior.

Implications
The findings of this study will be implicated on adolescents in pakistan. This study will help us
to know that what is the relationship between empathy and prosocial behaviour. This study will
also help us to recognize is empathy is responsible factor for promoting prosocial behavior.

Ethical consideration
The American psychological association (APA) code of Ethics and the University’s ethical
committee guidelines will be followed.
Informed consent will be obtained from the participants, they will be notified of their right to
withdraw from the study without prejudice. Participants will be assured of anonymity and
confidentiality and debriefed following completion of the questionnaire. They will be advised
that data would be kept only for the purpose of the study and destroyed thereafter. No incentrive
will be given for participation.

References
Barr, R., Vieira, A., & Rovee-Collier, C. (2001). Mediated imitation in 6-month-olds:
Remembering by association. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 79, 229-252.

doi: 10.1006/jecp.2000.2607

Clark, C. A. C., & Woodward, L. J. (2015). Relation of perinatal risk and early parenting to

executive control at the transition to school. Developmental Science, 18(4), 525-542. doi:

10.1111/desc.12232

Clearfield, M. W., & Jedd, K. E. (2013). The effects of socio-economic status on infant attention.

Barr, R., Vieira, A., & Rovee-Collier, C. (2001). Mediated imitation in 6-month-olds:

Remembering by association. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 79, 229-252.

doi: 10.1006/jecp.2000.2607

Clark, C. A. C., & Woodward, L. J. (2015). Relation of perinatal risk and early parenting to

executive control at the transition to school. Developmental Science, 18(4), 525-542. doi:

10.1111/desc.12232

Clearfield, M. W., & Jedd, K. E. (2013). The effects of socio-economic status on infant attention.

prosocial behaviors. Personality and Individual Differences, 56, 116–121.

doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.08.033: White, B. A. (2013). Who cares when nobody is watching?

Psychopathic traits and empathy in

prosocial behaviors. Personality and Individual Differences, 56, 116–121.

doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.08.033

Infant & Child Development, 22, 52-67. doi: 10.1002/icd.1770

Clearfield, M. W., & Jedd, K. E. (2013). The effects of socio-economic status on infant attention.
Infant & Child Development, 22, 52-67. doi: 10.1002/icd.1770

Davis, E. P., & Granger, D. A. (2009). Developmental differences in infant salivary

alphaamylase and cortisol responses to stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(795-804). doi:

doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.02.001

de Waal, F. B. M. (1996). Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other

Animals. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

de Waal, F. B. M. (2008). Putting the altruism back into altruism: The evolution of empathy

Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 279-300. doi:

10.1146/annurev.psych.59.103006.093625

Decety, J., & Jackson, P. L. (2004). The functional architecture of human empathy. Behavioral

and Cognitive Neuroscience Reviews, 3(2), 71-100. doi: 10.1177/1534582304267187& Child

Development, 22, 52-67. doi: 10.1002/icd.1770

Barr, R., Vieira, A., & Rovee-Collier, C. (2001). Mediated imitation in 6-month-olds:

Remembering by association. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 79, 229-252.

doi: 10.1006/jecp.2000.2607

Clark, C. A. C., & Woodward, L. J. (2015). Relation of perinatal risk and early parenting to

executive control at the transition to school. Developmental Science, 18(4), 525-542. doi:

10.1111/desc.12232

Clearfield, M. W., & Jedd, K. E. (2013). The effects of socio-economic status on infant attention.

Infant & Child Development, 22, 52-67. doi: 10.1002/icd.1770

Clearfield, M. W., & Jedd, K. E. (2013). The effects of socio-economic status on infant attention.

Infant & Child Development, 22, 52-67. doi: 10.1002/icd.1770

Davis, E. P., & Granger, D. A. (2009). Developmental differences in infant salivary
alphaamylase and cortisol responses to stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(795-804). doi:

doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.02.001

de Waal, F. B. M. (1996). Good Natured: The Origins of Right and Wrong in Humans and Other

Animals. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

de Waal, F. B. M. (2008). Putting the altruism back into altruism: The evolution of empathy

Annual Review of Psychology, 59, 279-300. doi:

10.1146/annurev.psych.59.103006.093625

Decety, J., & Jackson, P. L. (2004). The functional architecture of human empathy. doi:
10.1006/jecp.2000.2607

Annexure A

Informed consent;
I am a student of BS psychology at Women university mardan. I am doing this research with the
purpose to find the relationship between empathy and prosocial behavior among university
students. This research is a part of my bachelor’s degree course.

For this aim the questionnaire will be given to you, it should be make confirmed that every part
of the questionnaire is read carefully and be honest while giving the answers.

It is also assured that your ideas and views will be kept confidential and will not share with any
person and will be used for research purpose only. The right of withdraw is given to you also you
can leave the study at any stage. If you have any issue or question so you can freely ask or
contact the researcher. If you are agree to participate in the study so please sign the given space
below.

Thanks

Signature ---------------------

Women university mardan

Demographic sheet

Name (optional)

Gender

Age

Class

School/college

Annexure B