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Extra testosterone reduces your empathy

A new study from University of Cambridge found that testosterone administration negatively affects women's ability to mind read, an indication of empathy. The effects are predicted by a fetal marker of prenatal testosterone, the 2D:4D ratio.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 9, 2011

Race and empathy matter on neural level

A new Northwestern University study finds that African-Americans show greater empathy for other African-Americans facing adversity than Caucasians do for Caucasian-Americans. The study suggests that identifying with a racial group can dramatically change one's ability to feel and respond to the pain of another person.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNeuroImage·DateApr 26, 2010

Men feel less guilt

Men experience lower levels of guilt compared to women, particularly in interpersonal situations, with a greater prevalence of anxious-aggressive guilt among women, especially those over 40. Educational practices and socializing agents can help reduce this trend.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalThe Spanish Journal of Psychology·DateJan 25, 2010

What makes an accent in a foreign language lighter

Researchers at the University of Haifa discovered that greater empathy for native speakers can lighten accents in a second language. The study also found a link between accent heaviness and sociopolitical position, particularly among Arabic speakers who hold differing sentiments towards the Hebrew-speaking majority group.

SourceUniversity of Haifa·JournalInternational Journal of Bilingualism·DateAug 9, 2009

Bullies may enjoy seeing others in pain

Research using brain scans at the University of Chicago found that aggressive youth activated neural circuits underpinning pain processing when watching pain inflicted on others. The study suggests some aggressive youths' natural empathetic impulse may be disrupted, increasing aggression.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalBiological Psychology·DateNov 7, 2008

How to get a man to enjoy a chick flick

A study published in Journal of Consumer Research found that men are more likely to enjoy melodramatic films if they know it's fictional. High-empathy individuals tend to dislike fact-based stories, while those with low empathy can appreciate fiction.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 27, 2007

People more likely to help others they think are 'like them'

A recent study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that people are more likely to help those within their own group, rather than outsiders. The research suggests that feelings of empathy play a crucial role in determining our willingness to assist others.

SourceSAGE·JournalPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin·DateJul 7, 2006

Survey links altruism and romantic love

A survey by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago found a positive correlation between altruistic love and happiness in marriages. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,300 people, also revealed that married individuals tend to score higher on altruistic love questions than unmarried individuals.