A neurobehavioral evolutionary perspective on the mechanisms underlying empathy

► A neuroevolutionary perspective is provided by considering empathy within a framework that recognizes both the continuities and the variation in empathic-like behaviors across the phylogenetic spectrum. ► Empathy is crucial for living in social groups and caring for others. ► Empathic helping behavior has evolved because of its contribution to genetic fitness. ► Empathy relies on evolutionarily ancient subcortical mechanisms (brainstem, amygdala and hypothalamic circuitries) associated with affective sensitivity, attachment and parental care of young. ► In humans, empathy is assisted by other domain-general cognitive abilities such as executive functions, theory of mind and language, shaped by social and cultural contexts. ► Evolution results in a progressive neurological layering that allows for a multilevel re-representation of function.