This article offers a theoretical analysis of the role of empathy as a key mediator of the suasive effects of health messages, and it discusses the testing of an empirical tool for studying the state of empathy in responses to persuasive messages. It is argued that felt empathy evokes cognitive and emotional processing conducive to important health-promoting responses. This assertion was tested by operationalizing empathy as a response state via a new measure, the Empathy Response Scale (ERS). Two pilot tests and one major study, all set in the challenging area of HIV/AIDS prevention, provided preliminary data supporting the theoretical analysis and the ERS as a measure of the state of empathy. The article concludes with discussions of directions for future tests of the empathy theory and scale, as well as applications of the current framework for developing persuasive messages.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/S15327027HC1602_2DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

role empathy
8
empathy responses
8
responses persuasive
8
theoretical analysis
8
state empathy
8
persuasive messages
8
empathy response
8
empathy
7
persuasive risk
4
risk communication
4

Similar Publications

Decades of research hold that empathy is a multifaceted construct. A related challenge in empathy research is to describe how each subcomponent of empathy uniquely contributes to social outcomes. Here, we examined distinct mechanisms through which different components of empathy-Empathic Concern, Perspective Taking, and Personal Distress-may relate to prosociality.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In the prevailing medical pluralism of contemporary society, alternative and complementary medicine occupy a relevant place, comprising a heterogeneous group of practices with different values depending on tradition and social acceptance. Their scarce regulation and growing use, facilitated by promotion through social networks and distrust of the dominant biomedical model, have generated interest among medical organizations and health authorities in their use and consequences. Appreciations vary from outright rejection to interest in its adoption by public health systems as part of their services.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

: Nursing relies on the development of caring attributes to uphold exceptional standards of care. While small-group work is a common practice in nursing education, its pivotal role in nurturing these attributes often remains underexplored. : This study explored how caring attributes emerge in small-group settings from the perspectives of nursing students and educators.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Since 2023, ChatGPT-4 has been impactful across several sectors including healthcare, where it aids in medical information analysis and education. Electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) play a crucial role in monitoring cancer patients' post-treatment symptoms, enabling early interventions. However, managing the voluminous ePRO data presents significant challenges.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The significance of music might be attributed to its role in social bonding, a function that has likely influenced the evolution of human musicality. Although there is substantial evidence for the relationship between prosocial songs and prosocial behavior, it remains unclear whether music alone, independent of lyrics, can influence prosocial behaviors. This study investigates whether music and the emotions it induces can influence prosocial decision-making, utilizing the classical two-dimensional model of emotion (mood and arousal).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!