Cognitive science research on individual difference in empathy

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K00205
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Cognitive science
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Nomura Michio 京都大学, 教育学研究科, 准教授 (60399011)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 共感 / 偏見 / 葛藤 / オキシトシン / 社会的サポート / 文化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Empathy is multi-dimensional concept with emotional and cognitive components. Empathy facilitates understanding of others’ feelings and altruistic behavior. We developed a new Japanese version of the IRI (IRI-J) with satisfactory reliability and validity. We also found that activation in the left VLPFC during empathizing with the target person, who lost a small amount of money, was positively correlated with the amount of money distributed; this activation mediated a relationship between norm of restitution toward helping and the amount of distributed money. These results suggest that activation in the left VLPFC during empathizing with others experiencing negative circumstances is associated with altruistic behavior.

Free Research Field

実験心理学、社会脳科学、遺伝学