Understanding Empathy in Cross-Cultural Interactions: The Development and Validation of A Revised Cultural Empathy Measure

<p>The present research proposes a refinement of Wang and his colleague’s (2003) conceptual definition of cultural empathy, and presents a revised Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy (SEE-R). In this research, we examine the SEE-R’s psychometric properties via two studies involving approximately 2000 undergraduate students at a western Canadian university. Reflecting the cognitive, affective, and behavioral dimensions of empathy, the SEE-R includes subscales that assess (1) one’s’ awareness of the cultural similarities and differences that arise during cross-cultural interactions (Cross-Cultural Awareness), (2) the degree to which one could take the perspectives of a person from a different culture (Ease of Perspective-taking), (3) the extent to which one could identify with the emotions of other cultural groups (Empathic Feelings), and (4) the extent to which one behaves empathically toward people from other cultures (Empathic Expressions). The findings of confirmatory factor and correlational analyses provide initial validation of the SEE-R. </p>