Challenges in the comparative study of empathy and related phenomena in animals
- Author(s)
- Jessie Adriaense, Sonja E. Koski, Ludwig Huber, Claus Lamm
- Abstract
The aim of this review is to discuss recent arguments and findings in the comparative study of empathy. Based on a multidisciplinary approach including psychology and ethology, we review the non-human animal literature concerning theoretical frameworks, methodology, and research outcomes. One specific objective is to highlight discrepancies between theory and empirical findings, and to discuss ambiguities present in current data and their interpretation. In particular, we focus on emotional contagion and its experimental investigation, and on consolation and targeted helping as measures for sympathy. Additionally, we address the feasibility of comparing across species with behavioural data alone. One main conclusion of our review is that animal research on empathy still faces the challenge of closing the gap between theoretical concepts and empirical evidence. To advance our knowledge, we propose to focus more on the emotional basis of empathy, rather than on possibly ambiguous behavioural indicators, and we provide suggestions to overcome the limitations of previous research .
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Behavioral and Cognitive Biology, Vienna Cognitive Science Hub, Department of Cognition, Emotion, and Methods in Psychology
- External organisation(s)
- University of Helsinki, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien, Medizinische Universität Wien
- Journal
- Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
- Volume
- 112
- Pages
- 62-82
- No. of pages
- 21
- ISSN
- 0149-7634
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.021
- Publication date
- 05-2020
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 501014 Neuropsychology
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Behavioral Neuroscience
- Portal url
- https://ucris.univie.ac.at/portal/en/publications/challenges-in-the-comparative-study-of-empathy-and-related-phenomena-in-animals(14942314-701c-4c7b-a2b0-f3f57d5cc0b6).html