The link between perspective-taking and prosociality — Not as universal as you might think

• Published in: Current opinion in psychology 2022-04, Vol.44, p.94-99
• Main Authors: Sassenrath, Claudia, Vorauer, Jacquie D., Hodges, Sara D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Egocentrism; Evaluative concern; Perspective-taking; Prosocial behavior; Social desirability
• ISSN: 2352-250X; 2352-250X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.036

The path from perspective-taking to prosocial behavior is not as straightforward or robust as it is often assumed to be. In some contexts, imagining the viewpoint of other person leads the perspective taker to thoughts about how that person might have negative thoughts or intentions toward them. It can also prompt other kinds of counter-productive egocentric projection. In this review, we consider how prosocial processes potentially stimulated by perspective-taking can be derailed in such contexts. We also identify methodological limitations in current (social-) psychological evidence for a causal link between perspective-taking and prosocial outcomes. Increased appreciation of factors moderating the path from perspective-taking to prosocial behavior can enhance the explanatory power of perspective-taking as social cognitive process. •The effect of perspective-taking on prosocial behavior is not as robust as assumed.•The effect is moderated by aspects of the relational context (e.g., closeness).•Methodological shortcomings can make the effect appear larger than it actually is.•More sophisticated methods are needed to clarify the conditions for the effect.