Antagonisms between conceptions of empathy and their relation with prosocial behavior

Abstract

This study aims to present and discuss three antagonisms which are vital to a better understanding of empathy: a) dispositional approach vs. situational approach, b) cognitive perspective vs. affective perspective, c) empathy as predictor vs. empathy as a dimension of prosocial behavior. These discussions are part of a long series of disagreements which have marked the development of the concept. This lack of consensus has led to the proliferation of diverse attempts at a theoretical definition and thus experimental research has shown very different findings. However, the current trend is moving towards the emergence of comprehensive and multidimensional theories. This is why empathy has come to be considered a set of constructs including cognitive and emotional reactions.