2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Empathy: Innate or Acquired?

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Nichole Lasich

Abstract

This presentation explores the research question: Is empathy a learned emotion, or is it inherent? While empathy is an inherent trait it is also greatly shaped by social factors; humans appear to be born with a basic emotional framework allowing them to recognize and respond to the feelings of others. The depth, regulation, and expression of empathy are strongly influenced by environmental factors, parenting styles, cultural normals, peer relationships, and educational experiences. These important roles are how empathy is expressed and managed over time. Empathy can be strengthened with practice, modeling and reinforcement. While empathy is inherent, its development has greatly influenced learning. Therefore, empathy is best understood as emerging from the interaction between biological and environmental influences rather than from a single cause.

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