Less Empathy Toward Outsiders: Brain Differences Reinforce Preferences For Those In Same Social Group
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - 20:35
in Psychology & Sociology
An observer feels more empathy for someone in pain when that person is in the same social group, according to new research. The study shows that perceiving others in pain activates a part of the brain associated with empathy and emotion more if the observer and the observed are the same race. The findings may show that unconscious prejudices against outside groups exist at a basic level.