Psychological Development and Education ›› 2022, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (4): 475-484.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2022.04.03

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The Effect of Empathy on Generalized Reciprocity: The Mediating Effect of Self-other Overlap

LIN Shuwei1, SUN Binghai1,2, HUANG Jiaxin1, XIAO Weilong1, LI Weijian1,2   

  1. 1. Research Center of Moral Education of Tin Ka Ping, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004;
    2. College of Teacher Education, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004
  • Published:2022-07-13

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Abstract: Compared with the direct reciprocity of "I help you, you help me", the positive generalized reciprocity of "I help you, you help them" promotes role change from recipients into helpers, which can help more people. On the contrary, the negative generalized reciprocity of "I hurt you, you hurt them" can easily induce the victims to become hurters and make other people hurt. Previous studies have not explored a bilateral factor that can both promote positive generalized reciprocity and inhibit negative generalized reciprocity. Using the adapted dictator task paradigm through two experiments, it is found that empathy is a special variable that can expand the positive generalized reciprocity transmission effect and weaken the negative generalized reciprocity transmission effect. The intrinsic mechanism is due to the self-other overlap, which further supports the Self-expansion model. This work provides protocols to create a good social moral atmosphere, strengthen citizen moral construction, and ensure a just and harmonious social environment.

Key words: empathy, generalized reciprocity, self-other overlap, university student

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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