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Interaction of empathy and culture: a review

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Abstract

Using a scoping review technique, we provide a comprehensive overview of empathy definitions by highlighting the multidimensional nature of empathy. Drawing from multiple lines of research on empathy, we underscore the role of culture in researching empathy and highlight the strengths and weaknesses of existing research on empathy and culture. In general, this review article supports the importance of theorizing empathy and culture as multidimensional concepts. The review article also further identifies an urgent need for reaching a consensus for defining empathy and using that definition in future research on empathy, regardless of the discipline or field (i.e., psychology, education, social science, health, management, etc.). We conclude that empathy is a multidimensional construct that is not only possessed but is also acquired and needs to be studied based on surrounding factors such as individual (e.g., empathizer’s profile and empathizee’s profile, similar experiences) and societal factors (e.g., cultural norms, group standards).

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Notes

  1. This recognition of so many definitions partially informed their later multi-dimensional definition of empathy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Services Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Parvaneh Yaghoubi Jami

  2. Department of Educational Studies, University of Alabama, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    David Ian Walker

  3. Department of Research and Education, Lakeshore Foundation, 4000 Ridgeway Dr, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Behzad Mansouri

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Correspondence to Parvaneh Yaghoubi Jami.

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Jami, P.Y., Walker, D.I. & Mansouri, B. Interaction of empathy and culture: a review. Curr Psychol 43, 2965–2980 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04422-6

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