Can text messages make people kinder

摘要: Empathic character is a set of interrelated dispositions, skills, motivations, emotions, and behaviors that involve habitual responsiveness to others’ needs. It linked higher prosocial behavior, lower aggression, better health. There much research demonstrating both its consistency within people over time malleability in response environmental situational cues, including face-to-face interventions. In this paper I examine whether it possible increase empathic using mobile-based program. A large body public health has used text messages improve physical outcomes behaviors, but no examined can be change traits. We conducted study (N=90) which participants received 6 daily empathy-building for 2 week period, versus control group. found those the empathy group showed some evidence increased compared participants. The chapter ends by discussing implications work deeper understanding character, future directions research. This asks age old questions are bigger than specific one we address our research: dogs learn new tricks, leopards their spots, do habits die hard? That is, something as ingrained someone’s character? current paper, specifically if traits, rather unorthodox tool: mobile phone. reasons why phone might an unlikely candidate changing empathy. Mobile phones often strategically block out person social interactions. During unwanted or awkward conversations, use them psychologically escape, they also avoid such interactions first place, screening blocking calls. However, serve potentially powerful connectors. They help lubricate existing relationships keeping touch via regular check-ins. One other may not immediately come mind habit formers. Given ubiquity proximity users, have successfully been tools inject with pieces useful information (e.g. safety messages) thereby behaviors. But shape person’s will give initial answers question, demonstrate answer depends on how measure define character. Although crystal clear simple, known uses technology try shift deep traits people, hope won’t last. familiar offers tool understand nature possibility change. Defining Empathy very difficult measure, since scholars term loosely apply (Davis, 1983c), emotional responses (Batson, 2011), cognitive states abilities (Davis & Kraus, 1997; Goldstein Winner, 2012; Ickes, Van Honk et al., hypothetical (Barkai Fine, 1983; Truax 1966), sometimes even (Lobchuk Bokhari, 2008; Locraft Teglasi, Strayer, 1980; Teherani, Hauer, O'Sullivan, 2008). broad usage literature, encompassing beliefs, responses, To extent, line recent theorizing complex For example, his book moral Miller defines trait consisting “of cluster ... mental state dispositions” (Miller, 2013, p. 10). see important potential manifestations ‘interrelated dispositions’ determine one’s inner from simple observation combination measures more internal states, add dimension. felt lot compassion saw themselves empathic, find doubtful believe he would seen possessing unless regularly helped others shared belongings them. Character does. could called “kindness,” however, “empathy” commonly psychological literature. keyword search kindness PsycInfo reveals 17 times (17,698 articles 1,030 articles). People characters habitually feel concern others, limit own personal distress barriers becoming involved situations, consistently what support regardless who sees there rewards gain. share because want need, good receive return 2011; Miller, Ch. 5). importance central people. readily identified (Wojciszke, 2005), different agree scores (Bar-Tal Raviv, 1979; Hartshorne, May, Maller, 1928-30). Indeed, men women say number attribute looking romantic partner kindness, despite gender differences preference lists (Buss Barnes, 1986; Sprecher