Empathy is a beautiful thing: Empathy predicts imitation only for attractive others.
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| Title: | Empathy is a beautiful thing: Empathy predicts imitation only for attractive others. |
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| Authors: | Müller, Barbara C. N., Leeuwen, Matthijs L., Baaren, Rick B., Bekkering, Harold, Dijksterhuis, Ap |
| Source: | Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. Oct2013, Vol. 54 Issue 5, p401-406. 6p. 1 Black and White Photograph, 1 Graph. |
| Subjects: | Analysis of covariance, Computer software, Empathy, Reliability (Personality trait), Pilot projects, Task performance, Data analysis software, Descriptive statistics |
| Abstract: | Research shows that we spontaneously imitate people. Moreover, empathy predicts the degree of this non-conscious imitation. Little is known, however, if or how this expression of empathy is influenced by stable physical characteristics of our interaction-partners. In two studies, we tested whether attractiveness of others moderated the relation between empathy and imitation. While seeing a woman performing joystick movements, participants either imitated, or non-imitated these movements. Results showed that the higher participants empathy score, the faster they imitated an attractive person. The level of empathy did not predict the degree of imitation of unattractive targets. The findings demonstrate that the expression of empathy through imitation can be moderated by attractiveness, thereby introducing a new dimension to the conditionality of empathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Scandinavian Journal of Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Research shows that we spontaneously imitate people. Moreover, empathy predicts the degree of this non-conscious imitation. Little is known, however, if or how this expression of empathy is influenced by stable physical characteristics of our interaction-partners. In two studies, we tested whether attractiveness of others moderated the relation between empathy and imitation. While seeing a woman performing joystick movements, participants either imitated, or non-imitated these movements. Results showed that the higher participants empathy score, the faster they imitated an attractive person. The level of empathy did not predict the degree of imitation of unattractive targets. The findings demonstrate that the expression of empathy through imitation can be moderated by attractiveness, thereby introducing a new dimension to the conditionality of empathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00365564 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/sjop.12060 |
