Relationships between attributional complexity and empathy

Abstract

Many past studies have demonstrated that situationally-manipulated attributions influence an observer's emotional reactions toward, and willingness to help another in need. Less research has examined how individual differences in the attribution process may relate to such outcomes. The present study examined the relationship between individual differences in attributional complexity (Fletcher et al., 1986) and empathy (Davis, 1983) among a sample of 180 undergraduate students. In line with expectations, individuals scoring higher in attributional complexity reported higher levels of perspective taking and empathic concern and perspective taking largely mediated the relationship between attributional complexity and empathic concern. ©2004 Individual Differences Research Group. All rights reserved.