Towards an integrative sociological theory of empathy
01 Nov 2020-European Journal of Social Theory (SAGE PublicationsSage UK: London, England)-Vol. 23, Iss: 4, pp 550-570
TL;DR: Sociological theories of morality have grown in prevalence over the last decade and a half as discussed by the authors and these theories often focus on developing single concepts such as identity, reputation or emotion.
Abstract: Sociological theories of morality have grown in prevalence over the last decade and a half. These theories often focus on developing single concepts such as identity, reputation or emotion, or they...
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide an overview of progress in research on morals in the behavioural and social sciences, with an emphasis on empirical research, highlighting the role morals play in motivating and framing climate decisions.
7 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that the notion of clinically-situated empathy (e.g., physician empathy) is potentially problematic as it perpetuates an emotion-deficient version of empathy within medicine and medicine education research.
Abstract: In this paper, we argue that the notion of a clinically-situated empathy (e.g. physician empathy), is potentially problematic as it perpetuates an emotion-deficient version of empathy within medicine and medicine education research. Utilizing classic and contemporary empathy theory from various social science disciplines, we discuss how empathy in the general sense differs conceptually from clinically-situated empathy—paying particular attention to the role of emotional contagion. To highlight this contrast, we draw upon Hojat et al.’s model of physician empathy and how this body of work reflects broader medical-cultural norms that problematize the role and impact of emotions within the clinical encounter. Alternatively, we present a more encompassing model of empathy drawing upon the fields of social-psychology and social-neuroscience in order to bring the notion of “feeling with” and emotional contagion more specifically, into medical education, medical education research, and medicine more generally.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors used a modified constant comparison method to analyze interviews conducted with PWUD and professional stakeholders in rural southern Illinois, an opioid overdose hotspot, and found that rural opioid use is adopted in service of an intricate interplay of sensory, relational, somatic, and psychosocial benefits, with a sharp divergence between PWUD who express considerable agency in their drug use behaviors, and professionals, who fail to successful role-play in emphasizing PWUD's limited willpower and "deviant" sociocultural predilection.
Abstract: There has been a steep rise in overdoses and mortality among people who use opioids or who inject drugs (PWUD), including in North America, the United Kingdom, and parts of Eastern Europe, with some of the sharpest increases amassing in rural communities. Currently, the literature lacks a comparative focus on the views and experiences of rural PWUD and professionals who regularly work and interface with them, in terms of their understandings of the rural drug use initiation/relapse trajectory. Considering a renewed sociology of emotions and empathy and the constructs of direct experience (e.g., of personal drug use) versus role-playing (e.g., envisioning oneself in another's position), we used a modified constant comparison method to analyze interviews conducted with PWUD and professional stakeholders in rural southern Illinois, an opioid overdose hotspot. Findings suggest that rural opioid use is adopted in service of an intricate interplay of sensory, relational, somatic, and psychosocial benefits, with a sharp divergence between PWUD, who express considerable agency in their drug use behaviors, and professionals, who fail to successful role-play in emphasizing PWUD's limited willpower and “deviant” sociocultural predilection. These dynamics illuminate challenges to advancing nuanced, culturally humble programming to advance public health goals related to the opioid and drug injection epidemic.
1 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors identify empathy as an underexamined lens through which marginalized groups view state intervention and argue that amid shared social roles with those potentially reported to authorities, individuals invoke empathy in disavowing reporting.
Abstract: Abstract Why do people hesitate to summon state authorities to address concerns? Previous research has focused on cultural orientations about law enforcement, such as legal cynicism. In addition, people are often in a position to turn others in, requiring attention to how potential reporters understand the meaning and consequences of implicating others. This article identifies empathy as an underexamined lens through which marginalized groups view state intervention. I argue that amid shared social roles with those potentially reported to authorities, individuals invoke empathy in disavowing reporting. I advance this argument using the case of child abuse and neglect reporting, analyzing in-depth interviews with 74 low-income mothers in Rhode Island. Respondents disavowed or expressed ambivalence about reporting other families to child protection authorities, often justifying their non-reporting by empathizing with mothers they might report. Drawing on their own experiences of scrutinized and precarious motherhood, respondents imagined how they would feel if reported and balked at calling on child protective services, understanding reporting as an act of judging and jeopardizing another’s motherhood. The findings challenge conceptions of non-reporting as necessarily indicating social disorganization. Rather, hesitation to mobilize authorities can constitute an expression of care, kinship, and solidarity.
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TL;DR: The homophily principle as mentioned in this paper states that similarity breeds connection, and that people's personal networks are homogeneous with regard to many sociodemographic, behavioral, and intrapersonal characteristics.
Abstract: Similarity breeds connection. This principle—the homophily principle—structures network ties of every type, including marriage, friendship, work, advice, support, information transfer, exchange, comembership, and other types of relationship. The result is that people's personal networks are homogeneous with regard to many sociodemographic, behavioral, and intrapersonal characteristics. Homophily limits people's social worlds in a way that has powerful implications for the information they receive, the attitudes they form, and the interactions they experience. Homophily in race and ethnicity creates the strongest divides in our personal environments, with age, religion, education, occupation, and gender following in roughly that order. Geographic propinquity, families, organizations, and isomorphic positions in social systems all create contexts in which homophilous relations form. Ties between nonsimilar individuals also dissolve at a higher rate, which sets the stage for the formation of niches (localize...
15,738 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple theory of the power aspects of social relations is presented, focusing on the characteristics of the relationship as such, with little or no regard for particular features of the persons or groups engaged in such relations.
Abstract: Judging from the frequent occurrence of such words as power, influence, dominance and submission, status and authority, the importance of power is widely recognized, yet considerable confusion exists concerning these concepts. The process of cost reduction in power-dependence relations shows itself in many varied forms. Cost reduction is a process involving change in values which reduces the pains incurred in meeting the demands of a powerful other. The costs associated with alternatives must be included in any assessment of dependency. The chapter aims to construct a simple theory of the power aspects of social relations. It focuses on the characteristics of the relationship as such, with little or no regard for particular features of the persons or groups engaged in such relations. Social relations commonly entail ties of mutual dependence between the parties. The notion of reciprocity in power-dependency relations raises the question of equality or inequality of power in the relation.
5,786 citations
TL;DR: To consider social behavior as an exchange of goods may clarify the relations among four bodies of theory; behavioral psychology, economics, propositions about the dynamics of influence, and propositions about structure of small groups as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: To consider social behavior as an exchange of goods may clarify the relations among four bodies of theory; behavioral psychology, economics, propositions about the dynamics of influence, and propositions about the structure of small groups.
4,005 citations
TL;DR: The authors suggest that the mechanism involved is the perception-behavior link, the recently documented finding that the mere perception of another's behavior automatically increases the likelihood of engaging in that behavior oneself.
Abstract: The chameleon effect refers to nonconscious mimicry of the postures, mannerisms, facial expressions, and other behaviors of one's interaction partners, such that one's behavior passively and unintentionally changes to match that of others in one's current social environment. The authors suggest that the mechanism involved is the perception-behavior link, the recently documented finding (e.g., J. A. Bargh, M. Chen, & L. Burrows, 1996) that the mere perception of another's behavior automatically increases the likelihood of engaging in that behavior oneself. Experiment 1 showed that the motor behavior of participants unintentionally matched that of strangers with whom they worked on a task. Experiment 2 had confederates mimic the posture and movements of participants and showed that mimicry facilitates the smoothness of interactions and increases liking between interaction partners. Experiment 3 showed that dispositionally empathic individuals exhibit the chameleon effect to a greater extent than do other people.
3,711 citations
01 Jan 1991
3,388 citations