Abstract
Empathy-induced cooperation, forgiveness, and “returning good for evil” in the Prisoner's Dilemma were investigated among Chinese participants. In Study 1, empathy for the partner promoted cooperation in a one-trial Prisoner's Dilemma and fostered forgiveness after the partner's defection. In Study 2, when the partner had defected beforehand in a sequential one-trial Prisoner's Dilemma, empathy manipulation showed no effect on “returning good for evil,” but empathy fostered forgiveness. Expert-rating empathy from the note communication predicted “returning good for evil.” Males showed more “returning good for evil” than females. Gender difference related to the effect of empathy on “returning good for evil” called for further investigation. The implication to the public personnel management in Chinese organizations was discussed.
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