Perspective taking is an intrapsychic process of imagining another’s thoughts, motives, or
feelings from that person’s point of view and empathic concern is emotional reactivity to
others’ points of view (Davis, 1996; Mead, 1934). These mechanisms allow individuals to
have forethought, understand the meaning a situation has for another, and feel for others
(Mead, 1934). Williams (2007) theorizes that being able to understand the meaning a
situation has for another should increase the use of antecedent-focused strategies. This
understanding should also reduce the use of response-focused strategies. However, these
constructs should still be distinct as they reside in a different domain than IEM strategies
(intrapsychic vs. behavioural).