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Shared Hearts and Minds: Physiological Synchrony During Empathy
Jaweria Qaiser1, Nathan D Leonhardt2, Bonnie M Le3
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Affective Science
|December 29, 2023
Summary
Physiological synchrony, measured by skin conductance and heart rate, emerged during empathetic listening, particularly when women disclosed suffering. This synchrony was not consistently linked to other empathy measures.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Neuroscience
- Physiological Psychology
Background:
- Empathy involves cognitive, affective, and physiological components.
- Physiological correlates of empathy are less understood than cognitive and affective aspects.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate physiological synchrony during an empathy-inducing interaction.
- Examine associations between empathy measures and physiological synchrony.
Main Methods:
- 111 couples participated in an empathy-inducing activity.
- Participants disclosed personal suffering while partners listened and responded.
- Measured physiological synchrony via skin conductance, interbeat interval, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia.
Main Results:
- Physiological synchrony observed in skin conductance and interbeat interval reactivity.
- Synchrony was present only when women were the disclosers.
- Respiratory sinus arrhythmia reactivity did not show synchrony.
- Physiological synchrony was not consistently associated with trait or state empathy measures.
Conclusions:
- Physiological synchrony plays a nuanced role in empathic responses to suffering.
- Gender differences may influence the manifestation of physiological synchrony in empathy.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the physiological underpinnings of empathy.
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