Beyond BFFs:Using Texting to Promote Empathy

Janxin Leu, Ph.DDirector of Product Innovation

HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

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

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

z

1

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

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

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

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

Sara Konrath, Ph.DIndiana University

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

What is empathy?

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

Decety & Lamm (2006)

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

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

Narcissism

Konrath, O’Brien, & Hsing (2011)

Empathic concern

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

Konrath, O’Brien, & Hsing (2011)

Empathic concern

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

But does this work?

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

83 participants 2 weeks, 6 messages/day

2 conditions

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

Empathy Self-Esteem

Aggressive Beliefs

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

Self-esteem condition

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

what’s next?

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

Sara’s pilot

Control

83 participants 2 weeks, 6 messages/day2 conditions

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

Empathy

Empathy Self-Esteem

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

2 conditions

Sara’s pilot

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

TextToConnect.orgRecruiting ages 13-18

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

TextToConnect.org

#YTHLive @JLeuHope @HopeLab

Recruiting ages 13-18