The Place of the Empathy/Altruism Hypothesis in Sociological Practice

• In Event: 051 - Section on Sociological Practice and Public Sociology Paper Session. Meeting the Challenges of Inequality through Sociological Practice

Abstract

This paper discusses C. Daniel Batson’s empathy/altruism hypothesis (EAH) and considers its (potentially useful) role in sociological practice situations characterized by social conflict. Such situations include community organizing The paper begins with a review of the literature on empathy and altruism The second section summarizes recent developments in the field of empathy training. The paper concludes with a reflection on the intersection of sociological practice and empathy training.

Author

• Jay A. Weinstein, Eastern Michigan University and University of North Florida