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The Influence of Empathy and the In-Group-Out-Group Bias on the Content of Condolence Letters : It is All About the Details

Scheffer, Marouscha (2024) The Influence of Empathy and the In-Group-Out-Group Bias on the Content of Condolence Letters : It is All About the Details.

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Abstract:This study explored the role of empathy in letter writing within the context of a manipulated in-group-out-group situation. Specifically, it examined whether an individual’s level of trait empathy influenced the detail and length of condolence letters written to the families of an in-group and out-group soldier. A story recording was created in which participants (N = 46) were asked to imagine themselves as commanding officers and had to write two letters from this perspective: one to the family of an in-group soldier and one to the family of an out-group soldier. Levels of trait empathy were measured using the Toronto Empathy Scale (TEQ). Data analysis revealed no significant relationship between participants’ levels of trait empathy and the content or length of the letters written to the families of the in-group and out-group soldier. However, differences in content and length were observed between in-group and out-group letters, indicating the presence of an in-group-out-group bias. As there is currently little known about whether the in-group-out-group bias manifests in fictitious scenarios and on an individual level, this study contributes to this body of knowledge by suggesting that this bias can emerge even in fictitious war settings and influence the perception of individual persons.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/99940
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