ABSTRACT
This chapter examines issues relevant to the understanding and teaching of empathy in childhood. It reviews some of the empirical work examining sex differences in empathy and prosocial behavior, as well as socialization practices inside and outside the family that can hinder or promote empathy and concern for others. The chapter reviews the research that examines the relation of empathy to positive and negative behavior is reviewed. It discusses the consideration of the relation of empathy to psychopathic tendencies in children. Gender stereotypes typically depict females as more empathic and prosocial than males, who are often expected to be relatively independent and achievement-oriented. Psychopathy is considered to be a developmental disorder in that it can be identified in both childhood and adulthood. Recent research conducted by Knafo, Israel, and Ebstein exploring the heritability of children's prosocial behavior points to the importance of taking into account gene-environment interactions when determining which children may benefit most from which intervention.
