Pity

• In Event: Complex Emotions in Media-Psychology Research

Abstract

Empathy, defined as “an other-oriented emotional response congruent with another's perceived welfare” (Batson et al., 1997), is assumed to lie at the heart of altruistic motivation. Consistent with this reasoning, empathy has been found to promote prosocial changes in attitudes and behavior toward stigmatized social groups. But not all types of empathic feelings may be associated with unequivocally positive outcomes. Pity, for example, has been characterized as an ambivalent emotion that involves both altruistic tendencies (e.g., compassion, desire to help), and downward social comparison with others in need (e.g., false superiority, social distancing). Feelings of pity are further associated with ambivalent, paternalistic stereotypes about outgroups perceived as likable but incompetent (e.g., “elderly,” or “disabled” persons). This contribution discusses the role of pity as a double edged sword that may increase liking and helping intentions but can at the same time undermine perceptions of the target group as competent and respectable.

Authors

• Anne Bartsch, University of Leipzig

• Freya Sukalla, Leipzig University

• Johanna Schindler, LMU Munich