Introducing Educational Intervention about Empathy and Intercultural Bias

Abstract

Literature about empathy and intergroup bias considers a lot of research from many different approaches. However, there is certain degree of consensus that has been achieved in relation to the determination of the behavioral correlate of the empathy. Recently, its importance connected to the pro-social attitude of people has been emphasized, as well as its role played in social conflicts. So, the empathic response has to do with the ability to comprehend the other person and to try to think as the other person thinks, by means of observing him/her, using verbal and no verbal information or other type of evidences approachable from the memory, what is called, perspective taking. Empathy, understood in that way, would play a central role in the pro-social attitude of people. After introducing the most important pillars of this chapter, which are empathy and prosocial behavior, intercultural empathy, intergroup contact and, finally, "empathy, bias and education," different kinds of interventions about bias and empathy in education are presented. We will find that it is not only necessary but possible to put through strategies adapted to different ages and circumstances with a common goal: to improve empathy and control bias through education.