Empathy Prosociality Key Predictors of Connectedness Wellbeing in

Empathy & Prosociality: Key Predictors of Connectedness & Well-being in Social Networks Rucha Makati, Sylvia Morelli, Desmond Ong, Matthew Jackson, & Jamil Zaki Trait Factors: Empathy/Prosociality & Positivity Introduction • Having strong relationships is critical for our social and personal well-being. We seek out others in order to receive support and share our experiences. It is important to understand how individual differences (e. g. empathy) impact how social networks are built and maintained. • Past work shows that empathy, prosociality, and positive affect foster social ties and social connections, whereas negative affect often degrades social bonds. But, little is known about how these individual differences impact individuals’ position and standing in their social network. Research Questions • What individual differences predict network nominations of closeness, empathy, positivity and negativity? • Does self-reported empathy predict more reciprocal ties with network members? • Are empathetic people more likely to be sought out as a source of social advice and support? • Does self-reported positive affect predict more numerous social ties? • Does the social network’s perception of an individual track with the individual’s reports of their own social status? Empathy / Prosociality Positivity Results Highly empathetic & prosocial people are more likely to… • Have mutual and reciprocal friendships. Negativity p = 0. 00546, b = 0. 356 • • • Empathic Concern Positive Empathy Agreeableness Prosociality Perspective Taking Interpersonal Regulation • • • Hypomanic Personality Extraversion Narcissism Behavioral Activation Positive Affect • • • Anxiety Perceived Stress Depression Neuroticism Negative Affect Subjective Happiness (-) Loneliness Life Satisfaction (-) Behavioral Inhibition Personal Distress • Be sought out for social advice. p = 0. 0003, b = 0. 424 • Exchange good news with others. p = 0. 0018, b = 0. 308 • Be recognized as source of social support. p = 0. 00005, b = 0. 581 • Be identified as an empathetic person across the whole network. p = 000015, b = 0. 568 • Be nominated as a positive person. p =0. 00241, b = 235 Social Network Graphs Who are your closest friends? Empathy more reciprocal ties for close friendships Who usually makes you feel positive? Empathy make more network members feel positive Social Network Terminologies • • Nodes – individuals Edges – line showing relationship / tie between individuals In-degree – number of network members who nominated an individual Reciprocity – number of bidirectional nominations (i. e. , individuals who mutually nominate each other) Methods Who is most empathetic? Empathy identified as empathetic across network Whom have you asked for advice about your social life? Empathy sought out for social advice by more network members • 197 Stanford freshmen (51% female; avg. age = 18. 26 years) • Answered 6 questions about other dorm members during Week 2 of quarter • Completed trait surveys on empathy, prosociality, well-being, & personality Network nomination questions • Who are your closest friends? • Whom have you asked for advice about your social life? • Whom do you share good news with? • Who makes you feel supported and cared for? • Who is most empathetic? • Who usually makes you feel positive? Analyses • Factor analysis of all trait surveys to identify key predictors • Used trait factors to predict in-degree and reciprocal ties for nomination questions Conclusions • Empathy and prosociality promote the formation of strong, mutually supportive social bonds with many social network members • Further, these individuals are recognized as sources of support and positivity by their network • These highly empathetic and helpful individuals are critical for the well-being of the entire social network Acknowledgment Special thanks to Dr. Sylvia Morelli & Dr. Matthew Jackson for their mentorship and guidance throughout this project. Many thanks to Desmond Ong for helping with network data analyses. Lastly, we would like to thank Dr. Jamil Zaki for supporting this project. Requests for further information can be addressed to ruchamakati 5@gmail. com