People diagnosed as psychopathic have difficulty showing empathy, just like patients who have suffered frontal head injury, according to a new study from the University of Haifa.
"Our findings show that people who have psychopathic symptoms behave as though they are suffering frontal brain damage," said study author Simone Shamay-Tsoory, PhD.
by Judith Orloff Empathic listening is a way to help heal others.
Empathic listening is very different from talking or even active listening.
By following the keys of empathic listening, both parties can share positive energy with each other.
Empathic listening is a way to help heal others through the quality of your presence and attention. You consciously give your time, focus, and compassion to someone who needs to be heard. You slow down to be fully in the moment without distractions. No checking messages, being on the internet, watching television, scanning the room, or taking calls.
Over the past four years, I’ve interviewed nearly 200 guests on my podcast to discuss the power of empathy - between humans. This week’s episode took me in a new direction.
Lori Gruen, PhD is a philosopher, ecofeminist, and leading voice in critical animal studies at Wesleyan University. Her groundbreaking work invites us to reconsider our relationships with the “more-than-human” world and advocates for a radical transformation in how we interact with animals.
In her book, Entangled Empathy: An Alternative Ethic for Our Relationships with Animals, she argues that “rather than focusing on animal rights, we ought to work to make our relationships with animals right by empathetically responding to their needs, interests, desires, vulnerabilities, hopes, and unique perspectives.”
Misconceptions about autism and empathy are common. Autistic people are sometimes said to lack empathy (the ability to feel along with others) and/or sympathy (the ability to feel for others). While this stereotype is often used to describe all autistic people, these challenges are not experienced by everyone on the spectrum.
This article looks at autism and empathy, and what the research says about how autistic people experience this emotion. Autism, Empathy, and Sympathy Research into the link between autism, empathy, and sympathy has evolved over the past 40 years. Initially, it was believed that a lack of empathy and sympathy was a universal trait of autism, but more recent research indicates that this varies among individuals diagnosed with autism.
How Autism May Affect Empathy and Sympathy
Misconceptions about autism and empathy are common. Autistic people are sometimes said to lack empathy (the ability to feel along with others) and/or sympathy (the ability to feel for others). While this stereotype is often used to describe all autistic people, these challenges are not experienced by everyone on the spectrum.
This article looks at autism and empathy, and what the research says about how autistic people experience this emotion.
Autism, Empathy, and Sympathy Research into the link between autism, empathy, and sympathy has evolved over the past 40 years. Initially, it was believed that a lack of empathy and sympathy was a universal trait of autism, but more recent research indicates that this varies among individuals diagnosed with autism.
Empathy allows leaders to connect with their employees on a deeper level, fostering an environment where people feel valued and understood. It involves actively listening to team members, acknowledging their feelings, and responding with compassion. This approach can lead to improved morale, increased productivity, and reduced turnover.
Improved Employee Engagement: When employees feel heard and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated. Empathetic leaders create a supportive atmosphere where individuals are encouraged to contribute their best work. This results in higher job satisfaction and a greater sense of loyalty to the organization.
Journalist Bruce Grierson asks, “What percent of people, at the end of a conversation, say they felt ‘heard’? A study recently published in Frontiers in Science answered the question: 5%. Only in one in 20 conversations do we feel genuinely heard at the end. We are really not very good at listening to each other.”
In recent years listening has often been belittled. There’s a popular message that if “good” people (i.e. my side) listen to the other side, rather than shutting them down, that just lets them get away with the harms they cause. Listening to the opposing political camp is called “self-flagellation” and “political correctness.” And we’re reminded that listening is too demanding and is a reflection of privilege.
But listening is not solely civil or privileged. It’s also one of the most ancient and effective ways to connect with other humans and, in many cases, even influence them. Whether you’re looking for more fulfilling relationships, or to create broader social change, listening is a powerful strategy.
Gen-AI and the Amazing Maze of Empathy explores the complex landscape of empathy definitions and its importance in our interconnected world.
The authors, in collaboration with AI and empathy experts, propose a first principles definition of empathy comprising six core principles: experiential space holding, listening and reformulation, perspective-taking, transparency and intention, means to an end, and ethical considerations.
This approach aims to break down empathy into discrete, programmable behaviors for AI applications. The post highlights the challenges of defining and measuring empathy while emphasizing its crucial role in fostering understanding and connection in an increasingly individualistic society.
Hybrid Empathy When used thoughtfully, AI has the potential to enhance our empathy and improve our interpersonal relationships. The many micro-interactions we have with AI—whether it’s asking for a weather update with a "please" or thanking the AI for setting a reminder—can reinforce the social norms of politeness and empathy that are crucial for healthy human relationships, provided we approach these interactions with a mindful attitude.
Consider the impact this could have in customer service settings. When AI systems consistently demonstrate empathy and understanding, customers may start to expect similar treatment from human representatives. This sets a higher standard for human-to-human interactions, potentially leading to a more compassionate and customer-centric culture within organizations.
Barriers to empathy in the customer experience The insurance industry faces several challenges as it tries to deliver more empathetic customer experiences.
In an IDC white paper sponsored by Samsung “Bridging the Digital-Human Gap: Strategies for Branches and Intermediaries – Insights from US Study on Modernization in Banking and Insurance1,” 33% of insurers surveyed said their biggest challenge is ensuring customer satisfaction and retention through empathetic connections. Customers still grapple with too much complexity as they wade through insurance options. Confusing terminology, lack of transparency, and perceptions around limited coverage and customization are contributing factors.
Watch this episode to learn about the evolution of empathy - spanning visual art to cutting-edge neuroscience.
Dr. Susan Lanzoni is a writer and historian of psychology, psychiatry, and neuroscience. She is also the author of Empathy: A History. In this episode, she unpacks one of the primary questions of empathy: How can the self understand the other?
00:00 Preview 00:37 Introduction 00:54 About Susan Lanzoni, PhD 02:35 How the meaning of empathy has evolved 06:42 The origin story of empathy involves art 09:51 Aesthetic empathy, emotional empathy, and cognitive empathy 13:42 The neuroscience of empathy 17:04 How empathy “draws a border but also builds a bridge” 22:22 The continuum from pity to empathy and the tension of lived experiences 26:21 Doctors Kenneth & Mamie Clark and "The Doll Test" 34:48 The benefits of purposeful empathy and the importance of empathy training 37:12 Susan’s next empathy journey: Exploring all the ways empathy is expressed and felt 42:21 Susan Lanzoni’s Purposeful Empathy Story board/significance-doll-test/
As long as we remain trapped in cycles of hostility and misinformation, political division will continue to deepen. But by focusing on empathy, we may be able to see past our differences and find the common ground necessary for a more unified, cooperative society.
Empathy is more than just a nice-to-have quality in political conversations—it’s a powerful tool for change. By fostering understanding, reducing hostility, and encouraging persuasion, empathy-driven dialogue can help us transcend the polarized landscape we find ourselves in today. In a world where conflict entrepreneurs thrive on division, it’s time to turn the tables and create a movement for cooperation and understanding.
In a world that's more connected than ever, why does it feel like we're drifting further apart? This powerful documentary dives deep into the empathy deficit that’s sweeping across our modern society. Explore the science behind empathy, how it's developed, and why it's fading fast in our fast-paced, digitally-driven world. Discover how the lack of empathy is impacting our health, relationships, communities, and even our global culture.
Through compelling stories, expert insights, and real-life experiences, "The Empathy Deficit" reveals the hidden costs of living in an empathy-starved society and challenges viewers to reconnect with what truly makes us human. Learn actionable strategies to cultivate empathy, foster genuine human connections, and rebuild a world where understanding and kindness prevail.
Join us on this journey to rediscover empathy—one of the most vital traits we need to heal and thrive as a society.
Subscribe for more eye-opening documentaries on societal challenges, human behavior, and the power of empathy!
With the complexities of hybrid work models, empathetic leadership rises as a crucial strategy, fostering a culture of resilience and transformation that not only meets today’s challenges but paves the way for future innovation and sustained success.
A new study reveals that people across 12 countries and five continents perceive wisdom through two key dimensions: reflective orientation and socio-emotional awareness. Reflective orientation includes logical thinking and emotion control, while socio-emotional awareness focuses on empathy and social context.
These dimensions consistently influence how individuals judge wisdom in leaders, scientists, and others. The findings highlight the universal principles that shape perceptions of wisdom and their implications for leadership and education.
Over the last two years I worked towards completing the Empathy Center Facilitation training course on-line and I received my certification as a trainer. This consisted of over 60 hours of instruction and practice.
Last week the opportunity came up for me to teach the introductory class in-person at the Santa Barbara campus. The core of the in-person class is the same as the on-line, but the in-person one has the following enhancements..
according to Dr. Peter Sear “Empathic Coaching” is on the ascension.
In his book Empathic Leadership: Lessons from Elite Sport, he explores seven aspects of empathy. Each one illustrates stories from male and female head coaches of teams competing at the highest levels of nine different team sports. The result is an authentic portrayal of what it takes to become an empathic leader.
Numerous research studies link mindfulness training to improved empathy. However, few studies focus on the mediating factors of empathy. This work has three objectives: (a) to analyze the possible mediation of mindfulness as a feature in this relation, (b) to analyze the mindfulness factors that mediate in the increase of empathy and (c) to analyze the moderating role of gender.
Watch this episode to learn how empathy can become a multi-generational trait and how to cultivate empathy in teenagers.
Dr. Jessica Stern is a developmental psychologist whose work explores parent-child social-emotional development. In this episode, she speaks about the findings of a 25-year study that examined empathy development across three generations. She also discusses how peer groups and social media impact the mental health of teens.
00:00 Preview 00:42 Introduction 01:00 About Dr. Jessica Stern 02:27 Why is empathy so important for children and teenagers? 06:49 The importance of "serve and return" interactions starting in infancy 10:08 The "Still Face Experiment” - How disengagement impacts children’s emotional development 15:25 Why do teenagers feel the desperate need to belong? 18:27 Strategies for parents to manage how their teens consume social media 23:16 Observing empathy in action in Jessica’s research 28:15 Empathy across three generations - Exploring Jessica’s research 33:21 How to break un-empathic intergenerational patterns 34:59 Ways to break toxic Intergenerational cycles 41:25 Holding space and reflective listening 46:10 Jessica Stern’s Purposeful Empathy Story
By Riane Lumer, CNN — It doesn’t often feel as if we’re living in empathetic times. Over the past two decades, partisan gaps on all the issues included in a Gallup analysis have widened or remained roughly the same. Some argue that in this tumultuous landscape filled with social and political divisions, the United
People often believe that “their craving for a more empathetic community is theirs alone when other people all around them also want the same thing,” said Zaki, author of “The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World.” This mistaken belief weakens conversations by creating biased views before you even start talking.
While Konrath found that empathy is rebounding among young Americans, other experts say there is still a need to encourage greater face-to-face conversation across all age groups to build empathy in an increasingly digitally driven era of communication.
Building empathy in the workplace is no easy feat. Good friend of the show Rob Volpe joined us at Good Things Utah this week to talk about ways to build a culture of empathy in the workplace.
Volpe says everyone plays a part in creating an environment where empathy can thrive. Volpe touches on these subjects in his book “Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time”. It provides fundamentals he learned in the workplace throughout his lifetime.
You can learn more about Rob Volpe and his work as an empathy activist at his website RobVolpe.expert.
Empathy in Leadership: A Conversation with Maria Ross In the latest episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of welcoming back Maria Ross, an empathy advocate, speaker, author, workshop facilitator, and brand strategist. It’s been four years since Maria last joined us, and in that time, she has continued to champion the cause of empathy in leadership and business. Her new book, “The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries,” delves into the complexities of applying empathy in the workplace, especially in a post-pandemic world.
The Journey to Empathy Maria’s journey into empathy advocacy began with a life-altering experience. At the age of 35, she suffered a near-fatal brain aneurysm. This unexpected event not only upended her life but also shaped her understanding of empathy. During her recovery, Maria experienced a level of care that was deeply empathetic, which she later discovered was part of a broader philosophy known as patient and family-centred care. This approach places the patient and their family at the centre of the care experience, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and valued.
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, is integral to effective communication and social interaction. In collaborative learning environments, empathy assumes even greater significance as it facilitates idea exchange and problem-solving among students. While previous studies have explored the role of empathy in collaboration, research focusing specifically on its impact on Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) remains limited.
Therefore, this study aims to investigate the relationship between students’ levels of affective and cognitive empathy and their chat discussion behavior within a CSCL environment. An exploratory descriptive study with 188 students from Spain (N = 133) and Brazil (N = 55) (Mage = 15.7 years) examined how affective and cognitive empathy influence student’s online discussion within a CSCL environment.
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