THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPATHY AND PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN STUDENT ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This article presents the results of an empirical study on the relationship between empathy and prosocial behavior in a student environment. The theoretical analysis of recent research and publications confirmed the key role of empathic sensitivity in shaping socially significant activities among youth. The aim of the study was to identify the nature and strength of the connections between various aspects of empathy and forms of prosocial behavior among students.

The research was conducted at Kyiv National Linguistic University (Ukraine), involving 120 students majoring in Psychology, aged 18 to 22. A set of psychodiagnostic methods was applied, including the Interpersonal Reactivity Index by M. Davis, the Prosocial Tendencies Scale by G. Carlo and B. Randall, sociometry by J. Moreno, and a survey on volunteer experience. Data were processed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and comparative analysis. 

The empirical data obtained indicate that high levels of empathic concern and perspective-taking are closely correlated with the willingness to provide emotional and altruistic assistance, while excessive personal distress reduces the level of prosocial behavior. Gender differences in prosocial behavior among youth were identified: female students more often demonstrate emotional forms of help, while male students exhibit public forms. Social experience also has a significant impact: participation in volunteer initiatives increases both empathy and prosocial activity levels. The practical significance of the study lies in developing recommendations for integrating empathetic practices into the educational process, fostering volunteer programs, and creating a culture of support in the academic environment. Future research should focus on the longitudinal analysis of changes in empathy and prosocial behavior throughout the entire period of psychology students’ in higher education.