The behavioral science concept of compassion is similar to
the common definition of the term.
Compassion is the feeling people describe
when faced with another person’s
Compassion is the feeling people describe
when faced with another person’s
suffering and the motivation to help reduce
the impact of the suffering.
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| Convoy of Hope at Greensburg KS Tornado Site |
Compassion is related to the concepts of empathy and
altruism but compassion is not the same as those concepts. Compassion involves emotional
and cognitive empathy—the ability to take the perspective of another person and
feel similar feelings. Compassion is different because it includes the motivation
to help improve someone’s situation.
Compassion shares with altruism the giving of oneself or
resources to another. But compassion is not the only motive for altruism.
Compassion is related to love.
The biology of compassion
includes the presence of the hormone oxytocin, which has been called the “love
drug” or the “bonding hormone.” In brain studies, the region of the brain
linked to caring for others is activated in studies of empathy and caring.
During sex, both men and women produce oxytocin. It’s also produced by women
during childbirth and lactation.
Compassion is a nuanced, deeply human response to suffering that weaves together feeling, understanding, and motivation. It begins with noticing another’s distress and recognizing that suffering is a universal part of the human experience. From there, compassion involves empathic engagement paired with the capacity to stay present with discomfort, along with a genuine desire to ease that suffering. This orientation can be directed toward others, toward oneself, or received from supportive relationships.
Across many areas of life, compassion is linked to healthier patterns of responding—physically, emotionally, and socially. It is associated with calmer stress responses, greater resilience, and a stronger sense of connection, even toward people we might normally find difficult. Compassion tends to foster prosocial behavior, deepen social bonds, and reduce tendencies toward judgment or interpersonal distancing. Emerging work also suggests that compassionate states and practices may support positive changes in the brain over time.
These benefits extend into everyday contexts: workplaces become more collaborative, classrooms more supportive, and clinical settings more attuned and effective. In each of these environments, compassion strengthens relationships, enhances wellbeing, and creates conditions where people can function and flourish more fully (Zuniq et al., 2025).
Read more about love and compassion in Chapter 10 of Living Well on AMAZON.
One set of items to measure compassion is the Santa Clara Brief Compassion Scale (Hwang, Plante, & Lackey, 2008), which is derived from the longer, 21-item, Compassionate Love Scale (Sprecher & Fehr, 2005).
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References
Hwang, J., Plante, T., & Lackey, K. (2008). The development of the Santa Clara Brief Compassion Scale: An abbreviation of Sprecher and Fehr's Compassionate Love Scale. Pastoral Psychology, 56, 421-428. doi:10.1007/s11089-008-0117-2
Sprecher, S., & Fehr, B. (2005). Compassionate love for close others and humanity. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22, 629–651.
Sutton, G. W., Jordan, K., & Worthington, E.L., Jr. (2014). Spirituality, hope, compassion, and forgiveness: Contributions of Pentecostal spirituality to godly love. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 33, 212-226. Academia Link ResearchGate
Zhuniq, M., Winter, F., & Aguilar-Raab, C. (2025). Compassion for others and well-being: a meta-analysis. Scientific reports, 15(1), 36478. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23460-7
Photo credit: I took the photo of Convoy of Hope helping people on the site where the tornado of 2007 destroyed the over 90% of the city.
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Updated 2026
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