International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

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Empathy: Can it be shaped by Virtual or Literary Influences?

Author(s) Ms. Namitha Vinod
Country India
Abstract This study explores the relationship between the tendency to relate to fictional characters and empathy levels in individuals aged 18–35. Empathy, a key social skill, includes perspective-taking, empathic concern, and personal distress, which are measured by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) (Davis, 1980). The Fantasy subscale of the IRI assesses individuals’ tendency to identify with fictional characters (Davis, 1983). Given the prominence of fictional media in this age group, the study aims to determine if stronger identification with fictional characters correlates with higher empathy, particularly in perspective-taking and empathic concern (Mar, Oatley, & Peterson, 2006; Kidd & Castano, 2013).
Using a mixed-method approach, the research combines quantitative analysis of IRI scores and qualitative assessment of participants’ engagement with fictional content (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The independent variable is the Fantasy subscale of the IRI, while the dependent variables are the Perspective Taking, Empathic Concern, and Personal Distress subscales. The study hypothesizes a positive relationship between the Fantasy subscale and higher empathy levels (Bal & Veltkamp, 2013; Zaki, 2024). Expected outcomes include a significant positive correlation between participants’ ability to relate to fictional characters and their empathy scores. This research may inform educational and therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing empathy through media and narrative engagement (Turner & Linsley, 2019).
Keywords Empathy, Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), Fictional Narratives, Perspective-Taking, Emotional Engagement, Imaginative Transportation, Literary Media, Virtual Media, Mixed-Methods Research, Narrative Psychology, Empathic Concern, Emotional Regulation, Social Behavior, Narrative Immersion.
Field Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2025
Published On 2025-05-16
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i03.43673
Short DOI https://doi.org/g9kfj5
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