Give me a breakdown of the definition of Empathic Concern.
What are the various forms of Empathic Concern?
Give Examples of each type of Empathic Concern?
Give 2 verified quotes that describes each from.
Definition of Empathic Concern
Empathic concern is defined as other-oriented emotions that are elicited by, and congruent with, the perceived welfare of someone in need. These emotions are directed toward others and typically include feelings such as tenderness, sympathy, compassion, and soft-heartedness13. Unlike general empathy—which involves sharing or understanding another’s emotional state—empathic concern specifically motivates a person to care about and potentially help another, reflecting a positive regard for the other's well-being1.
C. Daniel Batson, a leading researcher, describes empathic concern as “other-oriented emotion elicited by and congruent with the perceived welfare of someone in need,” emphasizing that it is not a single emotion but a constellation of feelings such as sympathy, compassion, tenderness, sorrow, and concern1.
Forms of Empathic Concern
Research and psychological literature identify two primary forms of empathic concern:
Sympathy
Tenderness3
Some sources also use related terms like compassion or pity to describe similar constructs1.
Sympathy
Sympathy is an emotional response that involves feeling sorrow or concern for someone who is experiencing hardship or distress. It is typically elicited by witnessing another’s current suffering or need and often motivates supportive or comforting actions35.
Example of Sympathy:
Seeing a friend upset after losing a job and feeling genuinely sorry for them, prompting you to offer words of comfort or help.
Tenderness
Tenderness is an emotional response characterized by feelings of warmth, soft-heartedness, and a nurturing attitude toward someone perceived as vulnerable or in need of care. It often arises in situations where the other person’s vulnerability or innocence is especially salient, such as with children or those unable to help themselves3.
Example of Tenderness:
Watching a small child struggle to tie their shoes and feeling a gentle, protective urge to assist them.
Verified Quotes Describing Each Form
Sympathy
“Sympathy is easy because it comes from a position of power. Empathy is getting down on your knees and looking someone else in the eye and realizing that you could be them, and that all that separates you is luck.”
— Dennis Lehane5
“Sympathy involves feeling sorry for someone, usually pity…. Empathy is the ability to understand other people’s feelings because you have a shared experience. You can console because you have walked in similar shoes.”
— Kerry Siggins5
Tenderness
“Empathic concern, as assessed by six items of the ERQ, consists of two separate emotions, i.e., tenderness and sympathy.”
— From research by Niels van de Ven, Marcel Zeelenberg, and Pieternel Dijkstra3
“Of the 23 items of the ERQ, six adjectives measure empathic concern, that is, sympathetic, moved, compassionate, tender, warm and softhearted.”
— Batson et al., cited in research on empathic concern
Empathic concern, in all its forms, is a key motivator for prosocial and helping behaviors, bridging the gap between feeling and compassionate action