How Culture Shapes Empathy in Indonesia

Indonesia is a big country with many different cultures. People there have different ways of showing empathy. Empathy is about understanding and sharing the feelings of others. It can be good for people and society. But it can also have downsides, like making people biased towards those they are close to. A study looked at how empathy changes across different groups in Indonesia. They asked 2869 adults about their feelings and actions in different situations. The study found that things like where you live, your religion, and your social class can affect how empathetic you are. For example, people from Java and West Java showed more empathy than those from West Sumatra. Muslims also reported higher empathy levels compared to other religious groups. Interestingly, people who thought they had a higher social status were more likely to help others and feel their emotions. But they also felt less personal distress. These findings show that empathy is not just about being a good person. It is also shaped by the culture and society you live in. Understanding these differences can help us see how people interact and support each other in diverse societies.