Den empatiska bilderboken - En kvalitativ studie om framställningen av empati i bilderböcker för barn

Sammanfattning: This study aimed to examine how empathy is portrayed in picture books for children aged 3-6. A total of 18 library books were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis, which consisted of a compilation of image and text analysis. By applying a psychological, social psychological, and communicative perspective on the empirical material, several aspects of empathy expressions were made visible. Our results indicate that empathy can be portrayed through implicit and explicit thought processes, dialogue, and helping actions between book characters. Illustrations displayed the characters’ facial expressions, emotions, and body language, while texts explained the characters’ thoughts and feelings about other characters. In some of the picturebooks, we found that empathy was implied, but the depiction was unclear or left out. Since the research behind this study indicates the importance of empathic development in children, we found this recurring deficiency to be unfortunate. However, the clear depictions of empathy, which were found in several picturebooks, indicate that perspective taking, understanding of other people and concern for others are themes that can be discovered in picturebooks. The question regarding what extent children can develop empathy through these picture books would be an interesting subject for future research.