Facing others in pain: experimental and clinical evidence on the role of empathy

The complexities of human life often necessitate sensitivity to the behavior of others. Perhaps unsurpassed in importance for both personal and group survival is attention to the experiences of others when they confront physical danger and pain. Knowing other people’s feelings, thoughts, and behavioral reactions in the context of what is happening to them may be vital if the observing persons are to protect themselves or deliver care to the other person. When witnessing another person experiencing pain, the scope of observer reactions can range from concern for personal safety, including feelings of alarm and fear, to concern for the other person, including compassion, sympathy, and interest in caregiving, among other possibilities. Although it is recognized that precursors to the capacity for empathy were biologically and behaviorally present and conserved in nonhuman species (e.g., see Preston & de Waal, 2002; Langford et al., 2006), this chapter will review research addressing the nature and the determinants of the human observer’s empathic reactions and their consequences for both the observer and the suffering person in clinical and everyday life settings.

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