January 2014 PMID 23776467

Rudimentary sympathy in preverbal infants: preference for others in distress.

Yasuhiro Kanakogi, Yuko Okumura, Yasuyuki Inoue, Michiteru Kitazaki, Shoji Itakura

Mentions

46
Peak: 4 in Nov 2019
across 5 sources since Jul 2013

Extended reach

12,971
potential audience

Total likes

30

Video views

10,899

Mentions per month

Jul 2013 – Dec 2019

Where it's discussed

  • News20 articles
  • Facebook16 posts
  • X / Twitter4 posts
  • Blogs4 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions highlight the significance of early empathy by referencing the study's findings about preverbal infants showing sympathy and preference for victims, with expressions like 'cool study' and questions about emotional milestones. The tone and choice of words, such as 'can babies feel empathy?' and 'significant contribution,' convey both curiosity and appreciation, emphasizing the relevance of the research for understanding early social behaviors.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions reflect curiosity and support for the research, with references to the study as a 'cool' and significant contribution to understanding infant behavior.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, with mentions of younger ages when empathy develops and questions about infants' emotional capacities, indicating engagement with the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Participants cite specific aspects like milestones at 6 months and appreciate contributions from researchers, demonstrating thoughtful engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

While the discussions recognize the study's importance in social understanding, they primarily serve informational purposes, with some hints at broader implications for early emotional development.

Abstract in brief

  • Preverbal 10-month-old infants show early signs of sympathy by preferring to look at the victim in aggressive interactions, suggesting they recognize and respond to others in distress.
  • When given a choice between a victim, an aggressor, and neutral objects, infants tend to favor the victim and avoid the aggressor, indicating they evaluate social roles and react accordingly.
  • These findings suggest that even at a very young age, infants have a basic form of sympathy that could serve as a foundation for developing more complex emotional and social understanding later in life.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Dan Brubaker
@DanBrubaker7 · X

New video: How old do you think you were when you first felt empathy? Thanks to @FUzefovsky and her colleagues at @bengurionu for conducting this cool study--and to @BPSOfficial for publishing. https://t.co/y5h7MId0IX https://t.co/28NfGZEA9Y

Nov 26, 2019 · 3 likes · 292 followers View post →
Science Bloggers
@sci_bloggers · X

Can babies feel empathy? - "Empathy: 6 Month Milestone for Babies?" https://t.co/9wvZYVDN2R via @DanBrubaker7 #YouTube #SciComm

Nov 26, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 647 followers View post →
Dan Brubaker
@DanBrubaker7 · X

How old do you think you were when you first felt #empathy? #scicomm https://t.co/gQ4d7drUZq https://t.co/J5jG5J57uC

Dec 3, 2019 · 2 likes · 292 followers View post →
Cornelius Longbottom
@domboss550 · X

RT @sci_bloggers: Can babies feel empathy? - "Empathy: 6 Month Milestone for Babies?" https://t.co/9wvZYVDN2R via @DanBrubaker7 #YouTube #S…

Nov 27, 2019 · 1 share · 838 followers View post →

All mentions

Dan Brubaker
@DanBrubaker7 · X

How old do you think you were when you first felt #empathy? #scicomm https://t.co/gQ4d7drUZq https://t.co/J5jG5J57uC

Dec 3, 2019 · 2 likes · 292 followers View post →
Cornelius Longbottom
@domboss550 · X

RT @sci_bloggers: Can babies feel empathy? - "Empathy: 6 Month Milestone for Babies?" https://t.co/9wvZYVDN2R via @DanBrubaker7 #YouTube #S…

Nov 27, 2019 · 1 share · 838 followers View post →
Dan Brubaker
@DanBrubaker7 · X

New video: How old do you think you were when you first felt empathy? Thanks to @FUzefovsky and her colleagues at @bengurionu for conducting this cool study--and to @BPSOfficial for publishing. https://t.co/y5h7MId0IX https://t.co/28NfGZEA9Y

Nov 26, 2019 · 3 likes · 292 followers View post →
Science Bloggers
@sci_bloggers · X

Can babies feel empathy? - "Empathy: 6 Month Milestone for Babies?" https://t.co/9wvZYVDN2R via @DanBrubaker7 #YouTube #SciComm

Nov 26, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 647 followers View post →