... believed that seeing things from the perspective was crucial in the development of empathetic concern. If the perspective of the other person is not taken, we are more likely to experience distress without the empathetic concern that leads to helping. Cialdini's negative-state relief model (Cialdini et al 1987) claims that when we come across a person in distress, it creates a negative emotional state in us (such as sadness or guilt). As this state is unpleasant, we are motivated to get rid of it in whatever way we can. People tend to learn during childhood that helping others in need is a positive behaviour that will make them feel good about themselves. Helping someone in need therefore, is personally rewarding, and we are able to eliminate our negative state. According to the negative-state relief model, the main objective in helping behaviour is actually the enhancement of our mood, with such behaviour ...

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