Empathy and Perspective Taking

Abstract

Both empathy and perspective taking are deemed to play important roles in adolescents' social and moral development. Yet, the literature on empathy and perspective taking in adolesence is fragmented, due to the use of various definitions, labels, and measures. This entry defines the constructs of empathy and perspective taking, and outlines how these are assessed in adolescent research. Theories and empirical evidence regarding gender differences and development of empathy and perspective taking, including neurobiological changes, are reviewed. Further, the entry discusses socialization influences, and the role of empathy and perspective taking in adolescents' social adjustment and psychopathology.