The Psychology of Sympathy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xi

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2. Philosophers on Sympathy

   • Lauren Wispé

   Pages 1-30

3. Sympathy in a Biological Context

   • Lauren Wispé

   Pages 31-55

4. The Nature of Sympathy

   • Lauren Wispé

   Pages 57-66

5. The Definition of Sympathy

   • Lauren Wispé

   Pages 67-81

6. The Provenance of Sympathy

   • Lauren Wispé

   Pages 83-93

7. Laboratory Analogues of Sympathy

   • Lauren Wispé

   Pages 95-106

8. The Role of Faces and Places in the Arousal of Sympathy

   • Lauren Wispé

   Pages 107-134

9. The Roles of Imagery and Mimicry in Sympathy

   • Lauren Wispé

   Pages 135-155

10. A Summary of the Theory of Sympathy

    • Lauren Wispé

    Pages 157-163

11. The Function of Sympathy

    • Lauren Wispé

    Pages 165-180

12. Back Matter

    Pages 181-212

    PDF

The origins of this book probably go back to Gordon Allport's seminar in social psychology at Harvard during the late 1940s and to the invitation from Gardner Lindzey, some years later, to contribute a section on "Sympathy and Empathy" to the International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences (1968). Since those early beginnings, the book has been "in the process of becoming. " During that time I have benefited greatly from the knowledge and assistance of many colleagues, especially the following, who read and commented upon portions of the manuscript: Raymond Gastil, the late Joseph Katz, David McClelland, Jitendra Mohanty, Paul Mussen, Richard Solomon, and Bernard Weiner. To Kenneth Merrill for a close reading of the Hume material and to M. Brewster Smith for a careful reading of and suggestions on Chapters 7 and 8, I am especially indebted. Beverly Joyce withstood constant interruptions to provide much-needed library assistance, and Vivian Wheeler gave generously of her excellent editorial experience and knowledge. A fellowship at the Battelle Research Center in Seattle and an appointment as a visiting scholar at Harvard were of incalculable help, providing opportunity, stimulation, and freedom from teaching responsibilities. To all of the above I am deeply indebted. Just a few words about the organization of this book.

• Gordon Allport
• Suggestion
• William McDougall
• knowledge
• psychology
• social psychology

• University of Oklahoma, Norman, USA

  Lauren Wispé

Policies and ethics