Empathic distress
Empathic distress refers to the feeling of discomfort or anxiety that occurs when an individual witnesses another person's suffering or distress, often leading to a strong desire to help or alleviate the other's pain. This phenomenon is closely related to Empathy, which is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Empathic distress is a key component of Social connection and is thought to play a crucial role in the formation of Bonds between individuals. It is also linked to Value alignment, as people are more likely to experience empathic distress when they witness suffering that violates their personal values. Researchers such as Daniel Batson have studied empathic distress in the context of Altruism and Helping behavior.