The Emerging Study of Positive Empathy

Lay intuitions suggest that the ability toshare, celebrate,and enjoy others’positiveemotions– a phenomenon we term positive empathy – bolsters individual well-being and relationship strength. However, it is unclear from the current literature whether (i) positive empathy is distinct from highly related constructs and(ii)whetherpositiveempathyisassociatedwithsalutarysocialandpersonaloutcomes.Here,webegin by examining basic evidence suggesting that positive empathy is related to, but independent from, constructs such as general positivity and empathy for others’ distress. We then review evidence that positive empathy correlates with increased prosocial behavior, social closeness, and well-being. Lastly, we discuss open directions for the study of positive empathy, such as investigating the potential role of positive empathy (or its disruption) in psychiatric disorders.

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