Empathy For Other’s Pain Rooted in Cognition Rather Than Sensation
Empathy is a key cornerstone of human social behavior, but the complex neural interactions underlying this behavior are not yet fully understood. Previous hypotheses have suggested that the same brain regions that allow humans to feel pain in their own bodies might activate when perceiving the pain of others.
But, a new study reports our ability to empathize with those in pain is grounded in cognitive neural processes rather than sensory processes.
The findings show that the act of perceiving others’ pain (i.e., empathy for others’ pain) does not appear to involve the same neural circuitry as experiencing pain in one’s own body, suggesting that they are different interactions within the brain.
“The research suggests that empathy is a deliberative process that requires taking another person’s perspective rather than being an instinctive, automatic process,” said Tor Wager, the senior author of the study, director of the Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at CU-Boulder.
PR:
http://www.colorado.edu/news/features/empathy-others-pain-rooted-cognition-rather-sensation
Paper:
https://elifesciences.org/content/5/e15166
#neuroscience #empathy #research
Is it possible to have too much empathy? Rhetorical question, but I often feel as though it is my weakness.
ReplyDeleteHow can empathy be excercised if you do not recognize what's going on with the other person? Let's say some totally new symptoms surface that are distinctly different than anything you have experienced before.
ReplyDeleteFacial cues and mannerisms count for a lot. Sometimes in a movie, I won't know what the hell is going on yet trying my best to hide my umm... slightly, watery eyes. And then when the music kicks in, it's game over; cry me a river. :)
ReplyDeleteThat has a lot of sense taking in account the autistic disorders...
ReplyDeleteAlthough empathy can be quite draining, or seem negative at times, an empathic person can also show a lot of compassion, which is somewhat lacking in the world at times
ReplyDeleteThis discussion made me have a wacky thought from a movie I thought I'd share.
ReplyDeleteAs we evolve into the future, will our ability to empathize become a vestigial trait?
Alien Reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPMmC0UAnj0
There are a few articles that show that Psychopaths/Sociopaths can make good CEO's, perhaps because there is no concern when firing people or putting competitors out of business. For instance, this Forbes one: http://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbercovici/2011/06/14/why-some-psychopaths-make-great-ceos/
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Miss Corina....😃...
ReplyDelete