Skausm

Skausm is a term used in affect theory and cultural studies to describe a distinctive affective state formed by the perception of others' suffering and the moral motivation that follows. It lies between empathic concern and moral outrage, characterized by heightened attention to another's distress and a readiness to respond.

Etymology: The word skausm lacks a single, widely agreed origin. Some scholars trace it to a root related to suffering in European languages, while others view it as a modern coinage in interdisciplinary discourse. It first gained prominence in scholarly articles in the early 2000s and has since appeared in essays on moral emotion and media effects.

Definition and features: Skausm is defined by three features: perceptual salience of suffering, moral appraisal attributing responsibility or need, and motivational arousal toward assistance. It may be triggered by visual or narrative stimuli and can vary in intensity across individuals and contexts.

Relation to other concepts: It overlaps with concepts such as empathy, compassion, and compassion fatigue but is distinguished by its specific focus on the moral imperative to act in response to observed suffering and the cognitive appraisal of the situation.

Criticism and use: Critics argue skausm risks conflate distress with obligation or instrumentalize the sufferings of others. Proponents see it as a useful lens for analyzing humanitarian communication, media influence, and moral education.

See also: Empathy, Compassion, Moral emotion, Affect theory, Media studies.