Abstract
Three experiments tested the hypothesis that empathic concern for adults in need is enhanced by the degree of target infant-like characteristics. Participants reported feeling more empathic concern for an adult target with a more infant-like face than for an adult with a more adult-like face in a Spanish sample (Experiment 1) and in an American sample (Experiment 2). A similar effect was found when participants were presented with either an adult with a more infant-like voice or an adult with a more adult-like voice in a second American sample (Experiment 3). Additional analyses suggest that the infant-like characteristic effect on empathic concern is not mediated by observer perceptions of target attractiveness, target age or youthfulness, target vulnerability, or observer similarity to the target. These results support the proposition that infant-like cues enhance empathic concern in human observers and that the phenomenon generalizes across stimulus modality, gender, and nationality.
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Notes
The three samples used in these studies were convenience samples and their selection was not based on any theoretical rationale. They were selected to determine if any effects would generalize and to provide increased external validity for any potential findings.
This term was not used in Experiment 1 because research by Oceja and Jiménez (2007) suggests that the term cannot be translated into Spanish adequately.
The term softhearted was excluded because the need situation involved a heart condition.
In Experiment 3, the Inclusion of the Other in the Self Scale was coded using a 7-point scale, whereas the other four perceived similarity items were rated using 9-point scales. Consequently, participants’ scores on the averaged perceived similarity index could range from 1 to 8.60.
Examination of Table 2 reveals that the data fail to meet Step 2 of the Baron and Kenny approach to testing mediation (i.e., the predictor and potential mediator show a statistically significant association). The results of the non-statistically significant Sobel’s tests can be obtained from the first author.
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Acknowledgments
The authors extend their gratitude to Martin Gründl for granting permission to use the facial stimuli presented to participants in Experiments 1 and 2. Also, the authors thank Belén López, Tamara Ambrona, Irene Fernández, Mark Scurlock, Eric Peyton, and Chris Buchannon for their assistance in collecting data as well as Paul Silvia and an anonymous reviewer for providing helpful comments on an earlier draft. Data collection for Experiment 1 and a portion of the preparation of this manuscript were supported by Ministry of Education and Science grant SEJ2005-06307/PSIC, which was awarded to Luis Oceja.
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Lishner, D.A., Oceja, L.V., Stocks, E.L. et al. The effect of infant-like characteristics on empathic concern for adults in need. Motiv Emot 32, 270–277 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-008-9101-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-008-9101-5