Explaining Female Offending and Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Empathy and Cognitive Distortions

Authors :: Jessica J. Asscher
Geert Jan J. M. Stams
Inge B. Wissink
Eveline van Vugt
Marita A. M. van Langen
Forensic Child and Youth Care (RICDE, FMG)
Source :: Laws, Vol 3, Iss 4, Pp 706-720 (2014), Laws, Volume 3, Issue 4, Pages 706-720, Laws, 3(4), 706-720
Publication Year :: 2014
Publisher :: MDPI AG, 2014.
Abstract: The aim of the present study was threefold: to examine (1) the relation between both cognitive and affective empathy and prosocial behavior<br />(2) the relation between both cognitive and affective empathy and offending<br />and (3) the role of cognitive distortions in the relation between cognitive empathy, affective empathy and offending in a sample of adolescent girls with lower SES and education (N = 264). Results showed that both cognitive and affective empathy were positively related to prosocial behavior. Furthermore, cognitive empathy was positively related to offending, whereas affective empathy was not related to offending. Finally, no support was found for our hypothesis that cognitive distortions play a moderating role in the relation between empathy and offending.

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