A multidimensional scaling analysis of empathy.

Abstract

Randomly arranged 10 high stimuli into 45 pairs, and a group of psychologists made judgments as to the similarity of the pairs in terms of Truax and Carkhuff's (1967) definition of empathy along a 7-point scale. A similar procedure was followed for the 10 stimuli in the "low" group and the results analyzed by multidimensional scaling. Three similar dimensions accounted for a majority of the variance in Ss judgments in both groups. Dimension One was interpreted in terms of the appropriateness vs. inappropriateness of the therapist's voice tone and comments. Dimension Two reflected high vs. low emotional intensity. Dimension Three was interpreted as patient vs. therapist dominance. An attempt was made to relate these dimensions to those proposed by Truax and Carkhuff (1967) to be involved in the empathetic process.