Seeing to Connect: How Visual and Auditory Channels Shape Empathic Interactions

This research examines how visual and auditory channels affect empathic interactions. Going beyond past work, which focuses mainly on the person experiencing empathy (perceivers), we explore the experiences of empathy recipients (targets) and the shared dyadic experience. Across three studies (N = 710), targets shared emotional experiences with perceivers through online video calls, with cameras either on or off. Hearing the target was sufficient for perceivers to accurately identify a target’s emotions and to be considered attentive and empathic. However, visual information was key to creating shared positive emotions, we-ness, and mutual care and appeared to enhance prosocial behavior. Moreover, perceivers' vocal responsiveness was related to targets' empathy perceptions only when visual information was present. These findings reveal the different roles of visual and auditory information in empathic interaction, suggesting that while hearing each other might suffice for information sharing, optimal empathic interpersonal connection requires seeing and being seen.