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Explaining Female Offending and Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Empathy and Cognitive Distortions

Author

Listed:
  • Marita A. M. Van Langen

    (Department of Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 15780, Amsterdam 1001 NG, The Netherlands)

  • Geert Jan J. M. Stams

    (Department of Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 15780, Amsterdam 1001 NG, The Netherlands
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Eveline S. Van Vugt

    (Department of Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 15780, Amsterdam 1001 NG, The Netherlands
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Inge B. Wissink

    (Department of Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 15780, Amsterdam 1001 NG, The Netherlands
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jessica J. Asscher

    (Department of Forensic Child and Youth Care Sciences, University of Amsterdam, P.O. Box 15780, Amsterdam 1001 NG, The Netherlands
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was threefold: to examine (1) the relation between both cognitive and affective empathy and prosocial behavior; (2) the relation between both cognitive and affective empathy and offending; and (3) the role of cognitive distortions in the relation between cognitive empathy, affective empathy and offending in a sample of adolescent girls with lower SES and education ( N = 264). Results showed that both cognitive and affective empathy were positively related to prosocial behavior. Furthermore, cognitive empathy was positively related to offending, whereas affective empathy was not related to offending. Finally, no support was found for our hypothesis that cognitive distortions play a moderating role in the relation between empathy and offending.

Suggested Citation

  • Marita A. M. Van Langen & Geert Jan J. M. Stams & Eveline S. Van Vugt & Inge B. Wissink & Jessica J. Asscher, 2014. "Explaining Female Offending and Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Empathy and Cognitive Distortions," Laws, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-15, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlawss:v:3:y:2014:i:4:p:706-720:d:41221
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