Positive empathy is experiencing vicarious happiness or positive emotion when another person has a positive emotion. Though a relatively new branch of research, positive empathy has been linked to prosocial behaviors and, as such, could be an important pathway to sustainable development. When prosocial behaviors—such as recycling, using alternative transportation, or choosing to purchase locally and organically grown foods—happen on a community or societal scale, they contribute to sustainable development efforts. The authors of this paper completed a comprehensive review of existing positive empathy studies to determine (1) what was already known about the topic, (2) what aspects of the topic were missing from the current research, and (3) recommendations for future research directions.
The authors examined studies that measured positive empathy using a variety of measures. Some studies used the Positive Empathy Scale, which is a survey instrument that asked respondents the degree to which they identified with different empathetic statements. Other studies used biological measures, observational data, or other empathy measures. The authors also reviewed studies in which researchers attempted to manipulate positive empathy.
As they reviewed the literature, the authors differentiated between positive empathy and other related ideas, such as negative empathy, positivity, and warm glow. They emphasized that positive empathy (vicariously feeling another's positive emotions) differed from negative empathy (vicariously feeling another's negative emotions) in that it activated different parts of the brain and was associated with enhancements in happiness and well-being. The authors also differentiated between positive empathy and warm glow. Warm glow—the self-satisfied warm feeling one experiences from doing a doing a good deed—is driven by a desire to feel good about oneself, whereas positive empathy is driven by a desire to make another feel good. In a similar vein, positivity generates warm glow-like feelings and personal happiness, whereas positive empathy generates feelings of vicarious happiness.
The studies examined by the authors indicated a positive correlation between positive empathy and prosocial behaviors, social connection, and well-being. However, little research has been done to determine the causal relationships between these factors. Thus, there remains uncertainty about whether prosocial behaviors lead to positive empathy, or if positive empathy leads to prosocial behaviors. In a similar vein, there has not been much research into whether positive empathy leads to feelings of social connection and well-being or vice versa.
Because positive empathy studies constitute a relatively new branch of research and understanding of positive empathy is relatively limited, the authors recommend continued research. They emphasize that we have much to learn about positive empathy but that continued learning on this topic could benefit sustainable development efforts.
Environmental education efforts that engage people in environmentally-focused prosocial behaviors may build people's capacities for positive empathy, which could lead to more prosocial behaviors. Similarly, environmental education efforts that “awaken” people's empathetic tendencies could inspire more prosocial behaviors. Increasing empathy may have an important role to play in promoting conservation and sustainability.
The Bottom Line
Positive empathy is vicariously feeling others' positive emotions. The authors of this study conducted a comprehensive review of existing positive empathy research. In their review, the authors found evidence of a positive correlation between positive empathy and prosocial behaviors, social connection, and well-being. However, their review did not reveal which of the factors cause the others. Regardless, the connection between positive empathy and prosocial behaviors could have important implications for sustainability and conservation efforts. Based on the evidence, environmental education that integrates prosocial activities and stimulates people's empathetic tendencies will likely inspire more prosocial behaviors, such as recycling, biking to work, or acting to protect endangered species.