Overcoming Empathy-Induced Partiality: Two Rules of Thumb

Abstract

Empathy for a specific individual may provoke unfair decisions, favoring that specific individual at the expense of others (Batson, Klein et al., 1995). Recognizing this insidious side of empathy, Hoffman (2000) proposed two “rules of thumb” to prevent it: (a) draw people's attention to norms of fairness and impartiality, and (b) have people consider how others may be affected by one's action. Two studies tested the efficacy of these two rules of thumb. Overall, participants who were induced to feel empathy were significantly more likely to benefit the child for whom they felt empathy at the expense of other children with greater needs. Regarding Hoffman's rules of thumb, previously having participants think about others in need did not inhibit empathy-induced partiality. However, drawing participants' attention to norms of fairness did produce such inhibition.