That all comes from a new study, conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) Dornsife. They found that empathy isn’t simply a fixed human disposition—it is something that can be developed through intentional social environments. Lead author Yi Zhang, a doctoral student in psychology, Hope to Change Assistant professor Leor Hackel created the collaborative studio. In tandem, they tested whether cooperative environments dramatically increase empathy for others.
That study, available online with DOI 10.1177/09567976251351304, highlights the need for these supportive and collaborative environments. Findings indicate that when individuals engage in cooperative activities—such as those found in classrooms, families, or team environments—their capacity for empathy increases. This study adds to the burgeoning literature on the social psychology and the neuro-cognitive mechanisms that underlie emotional contagion.
The Role of Cooperative Environments
Safe, cooperative environments are key to creating the conditions where empathy can take root. As described by the researchers, these noncompetitive environments foster conditions where the success of each individual can benefit the most number of people. This intrinsic connectedness pushes people deeper into the heads and hearts of their coworkers and friends, helping them build the muscle of empathy along the way.
As Zhang explained, when people work together to accomplish shared objectives, they form deep emotional connections. Through these connections, both understand more about each other’s lived experiences. This dynamic is particularly evident in classrooms, where students often collaborate on projects, or in families that support each other through various challenges. Philosopher Martha Nussbaum, who co-wrote the study, argues that empathy flourishes in social environments that celebrate collective achievement.
Beyond academic and home environments, professional sports teams have been shown to be a rich environment for empathy cultivation. As people journey through the challenges of co-creating, and rejoice in the fruits of their collective labor, they become more adept at hearing and feeling one another’s hearts. That collaborative spirit fosters a supportive atmosphere where empathetic growth is encouraged.
Insights from the Research
The results of the study represent a remarkable new approach to understanding how empathy can be seen and cultivated. Leor Hackel describes this research as “a social twist on Pavlov’s classic experiment.” He proposes that, similar to how Pavlov illustrated classical conditioning with repeated stimulus, we too can foster empathy through positive reinforcements in collaborative spaces.
Hackel describes how making sense of a bird’s eye view creates unexpected opportunities for educators and psychologists. They are well-poised to enact strategies that foster empathy in students and people more broadly, particularly in diverse group contexts. By creating spaces in our schools, companies, and social environments that value collaboration, we can raise the level of compassion in our communities.
In addition to these key findings, the researchers recommend empathy training be introduced into the education curriculum at all levels. Educators can help guide students there by creating an atmosphere of shared responsibility and understanding through collaborative projects. These experiential activities help students find a space where they can relate on an emotional level with each other.
Implications for Future Research
The broader implications of this study stretch far beyond direct applications to learning environments and workplaces. These results underscore the importance of future research on the effects of various types of social experience on emotional development among more heterogeneous samples. Future research should explore how different cultural and group contexts might shape the process of empathy development.
Investigating the enduring impacts of empathy training in these collaborative settings could reveal rich learnings. These impacts have the potential to raise awareness of the mental health benefits and improve social cohesion. Understanding these dynamics will be essential for developing effective interventions aimed at combating societal issues such as conflict and discrimination.
