Compassion and kindness as different scenarios of pro-social behavior of the person

Abstract

Introduction: the relevance problem of differentiating modes of prosocial behavior is substantiated and the main goal is determined: to identify differences in the recognition and experience of modes of prosocial behavior among psychology students and the role of subjective well-being of the person in them. Theoretical analysis of compassion and kindness made it possible to formulate a hypothesis: the empirical referents of distinguishing between the prosocial scenario of kindness, associated with concern for the future of the Other and the activation of his psychological resources, and the scenario of compassion, aimed at reducing the negative experiences of the Other by providing one’s own resources, are actualized emotions, and the facilitator is the current level of subjective well-being of the person. Empirical analysis. Participants: psychology students (N = 76; M = 24.4; SD = 9.5). Methods: Kindness and Compassion Script Scale (P. Gilbert et al.); Kindness modes technique (D. E. Youngs et al.); Methods of diagnostics of subjective well-being of the person (R. Shamionov, T. Beskova). Conclusions: differences were identified in the recognition of prosocial scenarios of kindness and compassion; emotional markers have been identified that allow them to be differentiated; differences were found in the indicators of subjective well-being of participants with different abilities to recognize kindness and compassion, and a significant connection was established between compassionate kindness and the components of subjective well-being. The results can be used in the educational process for developing the professional competencies of psychology students through training in the practices of mindfulness, compassion, and self-care.

Keywords

• interpersonal interaction
• prosocial behavior
• kindness
• compassion
• modes of kindness
• subjective well-being of the person