Empathy and Anti-racism

Perspective-taking influences compassion and, in turn, anti-racist beliefs

Presenter: Andres G. Martinez

Co-Presenter(s):
Alejandra F. Arredondo, Ashley E. Barter, Drew J. Davis, Tiffany T. Do, Narjes Faraji, Olivia L. Gallagher, Gerardo Garcia Hernandez

Presenter Status: Faculty

Academic Year: 20-21

Semester: Spring

Faculty Mentor:

Department: Psychology

Funding Source/Sponsor: Koret Scholars Program

President's Strategic Plan Goal: Diversity and Social Justice

Screenshot URL: https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1Eyv_yL9ybIDL9iPg0GdReJTwe39ORNJJ

Abstract:
Can empathy increase anti-racism? How might this happen, given empathy’s multidimensional nature (Davis, 1983; Smith, 1759; Zaki, 2020)?

We develop a conceptual model whereby perspective-taking (cognitive empathy) influences compassion (emotional empathy) and thereby promotes anti-racist beliefs.  Analysis of a cross-sectional dataset (N = 311) provides evidence for this conceptualization.