ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the development of empathy and its foundational role in the enactment of prosocial behaviors. Modern conceptualizations of empathy describe it as having two primary facets, a cognitive component and an affective component. There is nominal acceptance in the research community that empathy can be conceptualized as an innate characteristic of the human condition and is present in some form, even if a qualitatively different form from later expressions, from birth. It is important to note that, even with all of the inherent, social, and developmental processes that lead to the development of empathy in most typical children, some do not feel, think about, or behave in an empathetic way. In order for it to influence prosocial behavior, empathy must be activated. When empathy is activated, people act to assist, benefit, and/or help others.
