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Changes over time in empathy
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Description: Previous research has found declining dispositional empathy among American youth from 1979-2009. We update these trends until 2018, using three datasets. Study 1 presents a cross-temporal meta-analysis of undergraduates’ empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index), finding significant cubic trends over time: Perspective Taking and Empathic Concern both increased since 2009. Study 2 conceptually replicated these findings using nationally representative datasets, also showing increasing Perspective Taking (Study 2a: American Freshman Survey) and Empathic Concern (Study 2b: Monitoring the Future Survey) since 2009. We include economic, interpersonal, and worldview covariates to test for potential explanations, finding evidence that empathy trends may be related to recent changes in interpersonal dynamics.