Relationship between emotional intelligence and empathy towards humans and animals

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Animal Studies
• Human-Animal Interaction

Background:

• Emotional Intelligence (EI) is associated with positive interpersonal behaviors like human empathy.
• The relationship between EI and empathy towards animals remains unclear.
• Animals are significant in human lives, necessitating research into EI and animal empathy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and empathy towards both humans and animals.
• To explore factors influencing empathy towards animals, including human empathy and pet ownership.
• To understand the differential mechanisms underlying human and animal empathy.

Main Methods:

• Assessed EI using the Trait-Meta Mood Scale.
• Measured human empathy with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index.
• Quantified animal empathy using the Animal Empathy Scale.

Main Results:

• A positive correlation was found between human empathy and animal empathy.
• EI positively correlated with human empathy.
• The EI-animal empathy link was moderated by pet ownership; human empathic concern and pet ownership were key predictors of animal empathy.
• Human empathic concern showed a stronger association with animal empathy in pet owners.

Conclusions:

• Empathy towards humans and animals share commonalities but are influenced by distinct factors.
• Pet ownership significantly modulates the relationship between EI, human empathy, and animal empathy.
• Findings enhance understanding of empathic behavior mechanisms and human-animal interactions.