Empathy Begets Empathy

What is it about?

Empathy is a powerful human capacity. This study tests whether empathy can be leveraged to help students believe claims of racial profiling and police brutality that are typical in the "Black Lives Matter" movement. Results confirm that it can.

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Why is it important?

In interactions concerning race in the United States, there is often a reluctance on the part of many to listen and believe claims of racial profiling and brutality. The brief video intervention tested here shows the promise to soften such reluctance. If we can enter these interactions from an emotionally inviting space of generalized caring, we may be able to dialogue more effectively and move our national conversation about race forward.