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Synchrony with distress in affective empathy and compassion
Yair Dor-Ziderman1,2, Daniela Cohen1, Nava Levit-Binnun1
1Sagol Center for Brain and Mind, Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center, Herzliya, Israel.
Psychophysiology
|July 21, 2021
Summary
This study explored how people process others' suffering, distinguishing between affective empathy (sharing distress) and compassion (caring concern). Findings reveal synchronized physiological and subjective responses are key to empathy, but less so in compassion.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Social Psychology
- Empathy Research
Background:
- Sensitivity to others' suffering is crucial for social cohesion and evolution.
- Affective empathy (sharing distress) and compassion (caring concern) are two key mechanisms.
- The precise distress processing mechanisms in empathy and compassion remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate distress synchrony as a mechanism for processing cues of suffering.
- To compare distress processing during affective empathy versus compassion.
Main Methods:
- Participants viewed a distressed target and rated their distress (empathy) or care (compassion).
- Autonomic and facial responses were measured to assess multi-channel synchrony with the target's distress.
- Dynamic ratings and physiological responses were analyzed for synchrony with target distress fluctuations.
Main Results:
- Subjective distress ratings and facial corrugator responses showed positive synchrony with the target's distress.
- Autonomic responses exhibited negative synchrony with the target's distress.
- Synchrony was significantly higher in the affective empathy condition compared to the compassion condition.
Conclusions:
- Subjective and physiological synchrony with a target's distress plays a key role in empathic distress sharing.
- Embodied resonance with distress is attenuated during compassionate experiences.
- Distinguishes neural mechanisms underlying empathy and compassion.
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