Societal Empathy Assessment

Goal:

To assess the ability to understand people from different socioeconomic classes and racial/ethnic backgrounds within the context of institutionalised inequalities and disparities. This domain also encompasses attitudes, knowledge, and behaviours towards broader societal issues (civic empathy) and the role of context in understanding societal impact.

Key Areas for Assessment:

Contextual Understanding of Systemic Barriers: Questions assessing beliefs about whether barriers like lack of opportunity, discrimination, or poverty prevent certain groups from succeeding. Beliefs about the impact of discrimination.

Macro Self-Other Awareness and Perspective-Taking: Items relating to applying perspective-taking and self-other awareness at a societal or group level. Comfort or willingness to interact with people from different racial or ethnic backgrounds. Taking into account the political perspectives of others, even if disagreed with.

Civic Empathy Attributes: Questions related to kindness, altruism, righteousness, mindfulness, and authenticity concerning societal issues. Attitudes towards helping humanity more generally.

Beliefs about Social Responsibility and Social Justice: Items assessing beliefs in government's role in social welfare, protecting minority rights, promoting quality of life, and ensuring basic needs are met. Belief in the importance of social justice actions.

Pro-social Behaviours (Societal Level): Questions about engagement in community service, voting, or taking action to help others who are worse off.

Belief in Collective Action: Questions assessing the belief that collective effort can lead to positive societal change.