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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
06:45
Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal
Published on: April 18, 2017
Helpful only in the abstract?
Jacquie D Vorauer1, Stacey J Sasaki
1Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. vorauer@cc.umanitoba.ca
Psychological Science
|January 28, 2009
Summary
Empathy can harm intergroup relations when people interact directly. This research shows empathy may backfire during contact, worsening prejudice instead of reducing it.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Intergroup Relations
Background:
- Empathy is typically beneficial for improving intergroup attitudes.
- However, its effects may differ in direct intergroup contact situations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if empathy is beneficial only outside of intergroup contact.
- To investigate the counterproductive effects of empathy during intergroup interaction.
Main Methods:
- Experimental manipulation of empathy within an intergroup contact scenario.
- Measurement of intergroup attitudes and prejudice levels.
- Mediation analysis using negative metastereotypes.
Main Results:
- Empathy failed to improve attitudes during intergroup contact.
- High-prejudice individuals derogated out-group members when empathy was induced.
- Empathy blocked the prejudice-reduction benefits of intergroup contact.
Conclusions:
- Empathy can have ironic, negative effects in direct intergroup interactions.
- Interventions promoting empathy may be counterproductive in real-world group exchanges.
- Context is crucial for understanding empathy's impact on intergroup relations.
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