Empathy research: Some methodological considerations

Abstract

The inconclusive findings from empathy research have led reviewers to recommend that efforts be directed toward factors other than empathy in a search for a better understanding of the therapeutic process. A category system is presented for analyzing methodological deficiencies in empathy research. The system is used to analyze four different measures of empathy and three studies having different findings but purportedly similar designs. Renewed attention to the construct of empathy is advocated. The unanswered questions about empathy as a facilitative condition need to be pursued with rigor.