Beyond BFFs: Using Technology to Promote Empathy YTH 2015

Beyond BFFs:Using Texting to Promote Empathy

Janxin Leu, Ph.DDirector of Product Innovation

HopeLab

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Every second…

1,500+ Instagram photos uploaded

1,700 Tumblr posts posted

8,000 Tweets sent

50,000+ Facebook likes

95,000 YouTube videos are viewed

240,000+ text messages are sent

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“It is a mistake to suppose that any technological innovation has a one-sided effect. Every technology is both a burden and a blessing.”  

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How can we harness mobile tech to improve the ways thatwe relate to each other?

Sara Konrath, Ph.DIndiana University

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What is empathy?

“Experiencing perspectives and feelings that are more congruent with another’s situation than with one’s own.”

Decety & Lamm (2006)

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Twenge, Konrath, Foster, Campbell, & Bushman (2008)

Narcissism

Konrath, O’Brien, & Hsing (2011)

Empathic concern

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Konrath, O’Brien, & Hsing (2011)

Empathic concern

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But does this work?

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83 participants 2 weeks, 6 messages/day

2 conditions

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Empathy Self-Esteem

Aggressive Beliefs

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Self-esteem condition

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what’s next?

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Sara’s pilot

Control

83 participants 2 weeks, 6 messages/day2 conditions

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Empathy

Empathy Self-Esteem

600 participants 2 weeks, 1 vs. 3 vs. 5 messages/day

2 conditions

Sara’s pilot

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TextToConnect.orgRecruiting ages 13-18

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TextToConnect.org

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Recruiting ages 13-18