Findings

Study 1(college sample, N=289):

• A scale of empathic response scale was developed and validated.
• Empathetic response consists of three dimensions: shared cognition, emotions, and message identification.
• The impact of empathy-based messages on message processing, reactance, and persuasion was explored.

Study 2:

• Study 2 used an experimental design to compare the effectiveness of empathy appeals with fear and informational appeals.
• Data collection finished: Participants will be low-income individuals (white, African Americans, and Latinos) recruited from Athens-Clarke County (N=192).
• Coding of open-ended response finished.
• Data analyses underway.