Geographic variation in empathy: A state-level analysis |
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| Institution: | 1. LWL University Hospital Bochum, Division of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry and Psychiatric Preventive Medicine, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany;2. International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany;3. Department of Cognitive Psychology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany;1. Virginia Commonwealth University, Psychology Department – Developmental Psychology, Box 842018 808 W. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23284-2018, United States;2. University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education, 3470 Trousdale Pkwy, WPH 600D, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States |
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| Abstract: | Empathy is often studied at the individual level, but little is known about variation in empathy across geographic regions and how this variation is associated with important regional-level outcomes. The present study examined associations between state-level empathy, prosocial behavior, and antisocial behavior in the United States. Participants were 79,563 U.S. residential adults who completed measures of cognitive and emotional empathy (i.e., perspective taking and empathic concern). Information on prosocial and antisocial behavior was retrieved from publicly available government databases. All indices of empathy were related to lower rates of violent crime, aggravated assault, and robbery. Total empathy was associated with higher well-being and higher volunteer rates. Implications for geographic variation in empathy, prosocial behavior, and antisocial behavior are discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Empathy Empathic concern Perspective taking Regional differences Geography |
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