What is Empathy?
Defined as ‘the ability to understand and share the feelings of another’, the human capacity for empathy is hardwired into our brain. Mirror neurons cause us to mimic an action inside our brain when we see others perform it. In ‘The Neuroscience of Empathy’, Sylvie Tremblay explains that from the age of 4 years old, strong connections between parts of our brain strengthen, to enable us to recognise social and emotional clues and identify what others are feeling[1].
Empathy is not necessarily associated with kindness. Daniel Goleman – author of ‘Emotional Intelligence’- points out that “torturers would need to have good cognitive empathy to work out how best to hurt”[2]. So, it is useful first and foremost. If you witness someone in pain, empathy will motivate the desire to help rather than do nothing. Helping not only removes the unpleasant feeling of powerlessness, it also creates a dynamic which is essential for the preservation of mankind.
How to Train Empathy
If you are not the greatest empath, there is a way to practice the skill. It has been shown that getting to know more people from different experiences and backgrounds will develop your ability to empathise. Research from the University of Zurich demonstrates that just a few positive exchanges will trigger neuronal change in the brain that results in increased empathy. Psychologist and Neuroscientist Grit Hein measured brain activity in the participants when dealing with members of their own group and an outward group. They concluded that the stronger the positive experience with the stranger, the greater the increase in neuronal empathy. To put it simply, the more you interact with strangers, the more empathetic you become.
To read more of Chantal Dempsey's article, visit, The Power of Empathy and How to Get Better at It (thriveglobal.com)
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