The Level of Empathy and Self-image

Abstract

The object of the researches discussed in the present paper is a relation between the level of empathy and self-image in adolescent girls.

The criterium of selecting experimental groups constituted the general findings of A. Mehrabian’s and W.A. Epstein’s Questionnaire of Empathy. Self-image was taken by means of H.G. Gough’s and A.B. Heilbrun’s ACL Test. The studies point that the differences among the persons from the experimental groups were statistically significant in the following scales: Int, Nur, Exh, Aut, Suc, Aba, Def, Cps, Fem, and FC. The persons with low empathy are self-assured, have a decreased ability for insight and are unwilling to establish closer emotional ties. In contacts with others they tend to expose themselves, to compete and accomplish their own aims, even at the cost of others.

On the other hand the persons with high empathy easily establish closer contacts, are cooperation- oriented and mutual exchange; they do not tend to competition, are open in an unobtrusive manner; they respect their own and others’ individuality. The structure of self-image point to their good functioning in the relationship with other people. It is worth noting that thus empirically proved structure of needs and their personality correlates in individuals of different levels of empathy confirms the rightness of A. Mehrabian’s and W.A. Epstein’s questionnaire.