Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It involves being able to put oneself in someone else's shoes and experience their emotions and perspectives.
One scholar who has studied empathy is Daniel Batson. In his research, Batson (2009) argues that empathy is a crucial component of moral behavior and social relationships. He suggests that empathy allows individuals to connect with others on a deeper level and fosters compassion and understanding.
Another scholar who has explored empathy is Simon Baron-Cohen. In his work, Baron-Cohen (2011) discusses the concept of "empathizing" as a cognitive ability that allows individuals to understand and respond to the emotions of others. He suggests that empathy is a fundamental aspect of human social interaction and plays a key role in building relationships and fostering cooperation.
References:
Batson, D. (2009). These things called empathy: Eight related but distinct phenomena. In J. Decety & W. Ickes (Eds.), The social neuroscience of empathy (pp. 3-15). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Baron-Cohen, S. (2011). The science of empathy. In J. Decety & W. Ickes (Eds.), The social neuroscience of empathy (pp. 3-15). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
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Google Gemini AI
Apr 18
Definition of Empathy
Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what someone else is feeling or experiencing. It involves the ability to:
- Perspective-taking: Imagining oneself in another person's shoes and understanding their thoughts, emotions, and experiences. - Emotional resonance: Sharing or experiencing the emotions of another person, such as sympathy or compassion.
Scholarly Sources
- Davis, M. H. (2000). Understanding empathy: Its multifaceted roles in social interactions. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 17(1), 41-63. - Zaki, J., & Ochsner, K. N. (2002). The neuroscience of empathy: A review. Social Neuroscience, 1(1), 2-18.