Journal article
Effects of age-related differences in empathy on social economic decision-making
International psychogeriatrics, Vol.24(5), pp.822-833
05/2012
DOI: 10.1017/S1041610211002547
PMCID: PMC3547629
PMID: 22237008
Abstract
Background: The ways in which aging affects social economic decision-making is a central issue in the psychology of aging. To examine age-related differences in social economic decision-making as a function of empathy, 80 healthy volunteers participated in the Repeated Fixed Opponent Ultimatum Game (UG-R). Previous economic decision-making research has shown that in younger adults empathy is associated with prosocial behavior. The effects of empathy on older adult social economic decision-making are not well understood. Methods: On each of 20 consecutive trials in the UG-R, one player (“Proposer”) splits $10 with another player (“Responder”) who chooses either to accept (whereby both receive the proposed division) or reject (whereby neither receives anything). Trait cognitive and emotional empathy were measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Results: UG-R data were examined as a function of age and cognitive empathy. For “unfair” offers (i.e. offers less than $5), older Responders with high cognitive empathy showed less prosocial behavior and obtained greater payoffs than younger Responders with high cognitive empathy. Conclusions: High levels of cognitive empathy may differentially affect economic decision-making behavior in younger and older adults. For older adults, high cognitive empathy may play a role in obtaining high financial payoffs while for younger adults it may instead be involved in facilitating social relationships.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Effects of age-related differences in empathy on social economic decision-making
- Creators
- Janelle N Beadle - 1Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, 200 Hawkins Drive, W-278 GH, 52242 Iowa City, IA, USASergio Paradiso - 2Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Program, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USAChristopher Kovach - 3Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USALinnea Polgreen - 5College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USANatalie L Denburg - 6Department of Neurology and Neuroscience Program, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USADaniel Tranel - 7Departments of Neurology and Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International psychogeriatrics, Vol.24(5), pp.822-833
- DOI
- 10.1017/S1041610211002547
- PMID
- 22237008
- PMCID
- PMC3547629
- NLM abbreviation
- Int Psychogeriatr
- ISSN
- 1041-6102
- eISSN
- 1741-203X
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press; Cambridge, UK
- Number of pages
- 12
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2012
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Economics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Pharmacy Practice and Science; Neurosurgery
- Record Identifier
- 9984002440902771
Metrics
36 Record Views