Beyond the sage on the stage: Testing a reciprocal storytelling model to cultivate empathy in college classrooms

This mixed-methods study tested whether reciprocal storytelling can foster empathy across lines of difference in a college setting. A total of 118 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either an Open Book or a control group condition. In the Open Book condition, reciprocal storytelling was operationalized through three core components: first-person narrative sharing, facilitated reciprocal dialogue using reflective prompts, and voluntary participation emphasizing psychological safety. Control sessions followed a lecture-style storytelling format. Empathy was measured using the Interpersonal and Social Empathy Index at three time points. A linear mixed-effects model revealed that while both groups showed increases in empathy over time, the Open Book group exhibited more immediate gains that were sustained at follow-up. Qualitative analysis supported these findings: participants in the Open Book condition described emotionally resonant moments, reflected on social identity differences, and reported ongoing shifts in self-understanding. Together, the results suggest that reciprocal storytelling may cultivate empathy through dialogic engagement and deepen perspective-taking in ways distinct from traditional, one-way lecture storytelling formats. Open Book represents a structured implementation of reciprocal storytelling for cultivating empathy, inclusion, and meaningful intergroup engagement in classrooms and campus communities.