Nearly half reject the idea that emphasizing empathy has done more harm than good
Core finding
Nearly half of Americans (48%) reject the idea that emphasizing empathy in public life has done more harm than good, including 17% who strongly disagree.
About one-in-five (21%) agree, while a third (32%) neither agree nor disagree, according to a March 2026 Verasight survey.
Topline scale
Nearly half reject the idea that emphasizing empathy has done more harm than good.
Emphasizing empathy in public life has done more harm than good.
n = 1,000 · Mar 6–16, 2026 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Mar 6–16, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | Module 5: Health, Community, & Personal Values |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044
Emphasizing empathy in public life has done more harm than good.
Cite this question
Verasight Client Omnibus Survey #2026-044, fielded March 6-16, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.