The nuanced association between deficient empathy and sexual aggression

Levitan, Julia; Vachon, David D.

doi:10.1016/j.paid.2021.110812

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Some research suggests that increasing empathy for victims reduces the risk of future violent behavior (Barnett & Mann, 2013a;Marshall et al, 1995), and empathy induction is often featured in treatment programs for sexual offenders (Barnett & Mann, 2013b;Hanson, 2003) and in primary sexual violence prevention among men (Wright et al, 2020). Yet, evidence from meta-analyses suggests that the empathy-sexual offending relationship is confounded by individual factors (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2004) and depends on the types of empathy and forms of sexual aggression measured (Langen et al, 2014;Levitan & Vachon, 2021).…”

Section: Measuring Rape Victim Empathy In Sexual Violence Prevention ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Rape Empathy Among University Men in Vietnam

Bergenfeld

Minh

Yount

2023

Psychological Test Adaptation and Development

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Abstract. Background: Empathy for rape victims is a correlate of sexual aggression and a target of interventions to reduce sexual violence on university campuses. Methods: We administered 17 adapted items from the Rape Empathy Scale to 793 first-year male undergraduates in Hanoi, Vietnam, in September 2020 and March-May 2020. Exploratory/confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA) assessed factor structure and multiple group confirmatory factor analysis assessed measurement equivalence across those reporting different frequencies of sexually violent behavior and over time. Results: The final unidimensional, 10-item scale demonstrated equivalence across groups and over time. Correlations of the scale with rape myths and knowledge of the legality and harm of sexual violence suggested discriminant validity. Latent victim empathy was lower among participants who reported any recent sexually violent behavior. Conclusions: The adapted, validated Rape Empathy Scale-10 provides a useful tool for measuring rape empathy in sexual violence prevention interventions in Southeast Asia.

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Section: Measuring Rape Victim Empathy In Sexual Violence Prevention ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Rape Empathy Among University Men in Vietnam

Bergenfeld

Minh

Yount

2023

Psychological Test Adaptation and Development

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“…Empirical studies centered on individuals who have sexually offended, and empathy are limited and somewhat dated but researchers differ on their opinions about empathy and its impact on recidivism. Researchers contend that victim empathy has no significant impact on sexual reoffending (Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2005) and that sexual violence is minimally linked to empathy (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2004; Levitan & Vachon, 2021). Other researchers contend that empathy is multidimensional in nature and is integral to the counseling and treatment of sexual offenders (Barnett & Mann, 2013; Cartwright et al, 2022; Fisher et al, 1999; Gladstein, 1983; Grady & Rose, 2011).…”

Section: Empathymentioning

confidence: 99%

Empathy and Cognitive Distortions in Sex Offenders Participating in Community Based Treatment

Cartwright

Craig

2022

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol

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This study examined the relationship between empathy as measured by the Empathy Index (EI) and the Cognitive Distortion Scale (CDS) among a sample ( N = 151) of individuals who committed sexual offenses who were receiving community-based sex offender treatment in a large southern state. The extent to which the relationships by age was also considered. The findings indicated a weak but significant positive correlation between total empathy and each of the cognitive distortion scales, and a similar positive correlation between the instrumental aggression empathy subscale and the three cognitive distortion scales. Furthermore, these findings suggested that those with lower empathy were more likely to have cognitive distortions than those with higher empathy. Recommendations for future research and implications for treatment are provided.

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“…Sexual offenders are found to report low victim empathy specifically as opposed to general empathy (Brown et al, 2012;Fernandez & Marshall, 2003). However, other research finds victim empathy has no significant association with sexual recidivism (Hanson & Morton-Bourgon, 2005) and the relationship between empathy and sexual violence is found to be weak (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2004;Levitan & Vachon, 2021). In addition, low severity offenders may not benefit from empathy enhancement, such as those who commit minor crimes or low-level drug users (Jolliffe & Farrington, 2007).…”

Section: Empathy Interventions In a Criminological Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

The optimal application of empathy interventions to reduce antisocial behaviour and crime: a review of the literature

Trivedi‐Bateman

Crook

2021

Psychology, Crime & Law

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In recent decades, the relationship between weak empathy and the development of antisocial and offending behaviours has been well established. In the first review of its kind, this paper outlines the current implementation of empathy intervention programmes in a variety of disciplines. This paper will identify some key agents that are instrumental in empathy development and build a case to suggest that where such traditional sources of empathy development are inadequate, interventions are crucial to bridge the gap. To date, the few offender empathy interventions that have been implemented and assessed heed mixed results by crime type, sample type, gender, and empathy type. Novel, evidence-led recommendations will be made in relation to the timing, content, format, length, and location of future interventions, and the importance of the consideration of baseline empathy and individual differences will be outlined. Deficient empathy must be of central concern to criminal justice agencies and identified and addressed from infancy and throughout the life course. By using a combination of universal programmes with general populations and specific offendertargeted programmes, a holistic approach can be achieved.

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The nuanced association between deficient empathy and sexual aggression

Cited by 5 publications

References 32 publications

Measuring Rape Empathy Among University Men in Vietnam

Measuring Rape Empathy Among University Men in Vietnam

Empathy and Cognitive Distortions in Sex Offenders Participating in Community Based Treatment

The optimal application of empathy interventions to reduce antisocial behaviour and crime: a review of the literature

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