PSYCH 3096
Psychological Dynamics of Empathy
In this course, we will explore the antecedents and consequences of empathic motivation, defined broadly. Along the way, we consider answers to several interesting questions: Why are some people generally more empathic than others? Are there cultural differences in levels of this trait? To what extent is empathy an emotional or cognitive phenomenon? We will also consider the conditions under which empathy is associated with prosocial outcomes (e.g., reducing racial prejudice) but with recognition that empathy has a darker side, one that can ironically exacerbate people's preexisting biases. The approach to empathy will be highly interdisciplinary as we consider research and theory within several fields within psychology (e.g., social, personality, cognitive) as well as areas that draw from other scholarly disciplines (e.g. social neuroscience, social anthropology).
Instructors
Reviews
He is genuinely a kind teacher that explains concepts so well. It is a very easy to understand course with very interesting material. The tests were always fair, you get exactly what you give. He may not be the most animated professor which may set you off the first few weeks, but stick with him, he is good at what he teaches.
5/5/2026
Wonderful professor! psych dynamics of empathy was one of the most interesting classes i've ever taken. Midterms are extremely straightforward (94% average), and he didn't assign homework. I've recommended him and this class to everyone I know
11/17/2025
Empathy was a great class. Entertaining lectures that featured lots of video clips and ended very early often. Lambert is a great professor and gives fair exams that are easy if you study. You should take this course.
4/15/2025
2 or less hrs/week
Super easy, no textbook readings at all. Exams all multiple choice and pretty much common sense. Content is interesting, but gets repetitive.
6/18/2024
I really wanted to like this class and professor, but was very disappointed. The content was interesting at first, but became very repetitive as the semester progressed. I could tell that he was passionate, but lectures were still dry. The exams were absolutely ridiculous and asked the most niche details from lectures. 30% interesting, 70% boring
12/20/2021
Grade was mostly based on multiple choice exams which were so poorly written. Typos, incorrectly coded, tricky wording. 10% of the exam had to be regraded. Unprofessional and frustrating. A member of the teaching team told me Its not about what you know in defense of trickily worded questions. More about reading his mind than material retention
5/8/2021
Professor Lambert is very knowledgeable and makes this relatively new course interesting. However, as the semester went on, the tests became trickier and trickier, some questions just felt like pure trick questions. Even knowing the material related to those questions well won't guarantee getting the right answers.
5/5/2021
This was the first year this course was offered and Prof Lambert was the best person to teach it. You could tell he was passionate about the subject, though it wasn't always clear where the course was going. His lectures are funny and interesting. His tests are very fair, so as long as you go to class, you'll do well.
1/2/2020