We examined the relationship between cognitive style, empathy, and willingness to help. In Study 1 (N = 186), we measured preference for visuospatial or verbal cognitive style using the ZenQ (Zenhausern, 1978), and empathy using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1983). In Study 2 (N = 76), we experimentally elicited verbal or visual cognitive processing via priming and measured empathy in response to a vignette about a woman injured in a car accident. In both studies, we measured willingness to help by assessing participants' willingness to assist the injured woman. Results showed that visuospatial cognitive processing increased empathy and willingness to help. Empathic concern mediated the relationship between cognitive style and willingness to help. Results highlight the importance of mental imagery in increasing empathy and helping.

A picture is worth a thousand words the influence of visuospatial and verbal cognitive styles on empathy and willingness to help / Goyal, N; Wice, M; Kinsbourne, M; Castano, E. - In: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. - ISSN 1864-9335. - 48:6(2017), pp. 372-379. [10.1027/1864-9335/a000318]

A picture is worth a thousand words the influence of visuospatial and verbal cognitive styles on empathy and willingness to help

Castano E
2017-01-01

Abstract

We examined the relationship between cognitive style, empathy, and willingness to help. In Study 1 (N = 186), we measured preference for visuospatial or verbal cognitive style using the ZenQ (Zenhausern, 1978), and empathy using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (Davis, 1983). In Study 2 (N = 76), we experimentally elicited verbal or visual cognitive processing via priming and measured empathy in response to a vignette about a woman injured in a car accident. In both studies, we measured willingness to help by assessing participants' willingness to assist the injured woman. Results showed that visuospatial cognitive processing increased empathy and willingness to help. Empathic concern mediated the relationship between cognitive style and willingness to help. Results highlight the importance of mental imagery in increasing empathy and helping.
2017
6
Goyal, N; Wice, M; Kinsbourne, M; Castano, E
A picture is worth a thousand words the influence of visuospatial and verbal cognitive styles on empathy and willingness to help / Goyal, N; Wice, M; Kinsbourne, M; Castano, E. - In: SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY. - ISSN 1864-9335. - 48:6(2017), pp. 372-379. [10.1027/1864-9335/a000318]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
2017GoyalWiceKinsbourneCastano2017_SocialPsych.pdf

Solo gestori archivio

Tipologia: Versione editoriale (Publisher’s layout)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 333.03 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
333.03 kB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/257458
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 3
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 3
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact