How To Improve Empathetic Behavior

comprehension of the perceived injury. A 1 to 4 scale graded these as well (Knafo et al., 2008).
The results of this experiment are rather interesting. Knafo et el, (2008) found there was no significant difference in the two different types of twins. There were increases in empathy as age increased consistently with all of those that showed empathetic behaviors from the earliest age group (Knafo et al., 2008). Those in the younger age groups also showed more empathy toward the examiner and those in the older age groups such as 20 months, showed more empathy toward their mothers (Knafo et al., 2008). The testing results show a significant interaction between the age and distress victim (Knafo et al., 2008). Girls also had higher test scores that showed empathetic concern than the boy participants. The results found by Knafo et al, (2008) led to evidence that supported their hypothesis that children with empathetic behaviors would remain consistent in those behaviors and steadily increase with age.
The data collected in the early ages seem to suggest more of an environmental control than genetic (Knafo et al., 2008).
The data in the later ages shift significantly however; we see a greater difference between the MZ and DZ twin sets (Knafo et al., 2008). This indicated more of a genetic influence in empathetic behaviors. One way that the researcher detangled some of this data was to include the examiner as a victim. This allowed for them to determine better what was environmental and what was genetic. The researchers conclude that early in life a behavior is present or it is not. Environmental influence can increase that empathetic concern but not necessarily create it (Knafo et al.,
2008).