Generation Z's Positive and Negative Attributes and the Impact on Empathy After a Community-Based Learning Experience

Limitations 
It is important to note that since these analyses are correlational, causality cannot be 
assessed. The study included students within Generation Z, which has unique maturational 
considerations. Future studies may explore a comparison between freshman students to other 
freshmen without CBL experiences to see the effect of CBL on empathy development. 
Additionally, this study used gender and sex interchangeably. Because the field of psychology 
has shifted toward greater distinction and exploration of differences in sex and gender, future 
studies should also create a distinction while measuring sex and gender for more 

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GEN Z’S ATTRIBUTES AND THE IMPACT ON EMPATHY AFTER A CBL EXPERIENCE
32 
developmentally accurate findings (Fischer & Arnold, 1994; Hyde et al., 2018). Further, while a 
categorical variable was used when distinguishing between high and low intensity groups for the 
purposes of this study, future studies may consider utilizing continuous variables.

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GEN Z’S ATTRIBUTES AND THE IMPACT ON EMPATHY AFTER A CBL EXPERIENCE
33 
Table 1. Honors Colloquium’s Significant Main Effects for Sex and Intensity 
Variable 
Females 
Male 
Pre 
Post 
Δ
Pre 
Post 
Δ
Emotional 
Connection 
4.03 
4.06 
.0283 
3.72 
3.68 
-.0338 
Emotional 
Contagion 
3.54 
3.57 
.0318 
2.99 
3.04 
.0585 
Cognitive 
Empathy 
4.06 
4.07 
-0.002 
3.93 
3.84 
0.087 
Acceptance 
of Cultural 
Differences 
4.16 
4.07 
-.0915 
4.01 
3.79 
-.2136 
Empathic 
feelings 
3.80 
3.73 
-.0833 
3.44 
3.34 
-.1465 
Empathic 
Awareness 
4.02 
3.96 
-.0638 
3.78 
3.68 
-.0945 
Variable 
High Intensity 
Low Intensity 
Pre 
Post