Table 2. Semipartial correlations indicating the unique variance predicted by each variable in the full hierarchical regression model.
Trait empathic concern (the emotional component of compassion) predicts unique variance in both the Helping Game and within Punishers (spend > $0) in the Punishment Game.
| Game | ||
|---|---|---|
| Helping sr | Punishers sr | |
| Social Desirability | -0.11 | 0.42** |
| Transfer as Dictator | 0.46*** | 0.21 |
| Player Order | -0.06 | 0.04 |
| Family Income | -0.01 | 0.01 |
| Experience in game: Punishment | 0.04 | |
| Experience in game: Earnings | 0.07 | 0.06 |
| Current Positive Affect | 0.07 | -0.15 |
| Current Negative Affect | -0.01 | 0.04 |
| Empathic Concern | 0.19* ^ | -0.42** |
* p ≤ 0.05
** p ≤ 0.01
*** p ≤ 0.001
^ When the two “extreme altruist” outliers were included in the Helping Game regression, the relationship between empathic concern and helping behavior became non-significant (Empathic Concern Δ R 2 = 0.016, p = 0.12).