Behavioral and Nonbehavioral Methods of Developing Two Types of Empathy: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This article compared a behavioral and a nonbehavioral method of training empathy. Empathy was measured under three different emotional stimulus conditions, and results showed that both training methods enhanced empathic understanding compared to a nonequivalent control group. Differences due to the emotional stimuli were also found, with evidence supporting the theory of experiential empathy. The results are discussed in terms of social work education, with argument for the incorporation of nonbehavioral techniques.