Empathy
Articles tagged with Empathy
How do rats determine whether to approach or avoid distressed peers?
Researchers identified a key brain pathway in rats that helps them decide whether to approach stressed pups or avoid stressed adult peers. The insular cortex and prefrontal cortex work together to process social information, with the pathway playing a crucial role in making these decisions.
Negative emotions at work aren’t always harmful—empathetic leaders make the difference
Research by David Lebel and colleagues found that only half of the relationships between negative emotions and workplace outcomes were harmful during the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, many showed no effect or even positive effects, highlighting the importance of empathetic leadership in moderating these outcomes.
How the brain charts emotion in a map-like way
A new study reveals that the hippocampus represents emotion concepts in a structured hierarchy of pleasantness and bodily reaction, while the ventromedial prefrontal cortex tracks relationships between these nodes. This map-like representation may help in the treatment of mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety.
Truth hurts: Prosocial liars perceived as more moral
In a study, participants preferred feedback providers who provided overly optimistic feedback to avoid hurting others, even if it meant telling the truth. This suggests that people strategically adjust their preferences for honesty based on social cues and prioritize the well-being of others.
In patients’ homes, medical students learn what textbooks miss - new study
A new study found that year-long home visits with older adults helped first-year medical students develop stronger communication skills and challenge their age-related stereotypes. The program, which included gentle physical activity and open conversation, also promoted empathy and a patient-centered mindset among the students.
Smile and the world will trust you: How mimicry shapes first impressions
Researchers found that smiling faces are associated with higher trustworthiness, confidence, and attractiveness. Facial expressions play a crucial role in social judgments, with emotional mimicry influencing character trait evaluations.
Holding back laughter
A research team at the University of Göttingen investigated how laughter can be regulated and found that social cues can strongly interfere with these efforts. The results showed that suppression and distraction were effective strategies to hold back laughter, while cognitive reappraisal could reduce how funny the jokes felt.
Most people struggle to spot pain in horses - study
Research found that most people are poor at recognizing pain in horses, but those with more experience are better equipped to identify subtle cues. Higher levels of social anxiety also influenced pain recognition, particularly in humans, highlighting the need for education and training on equine welfare.
FAU study finds small group counseling helps children thrive at school
Researchers found that small group counseling improved students' anger management, academic and life skills, feelings of connectedness and safety. Students learned practical strategies and developed social-emotional skills, leading to a positive perception of the school environment.
After cancer: study explores caring-healing modalities for survivors
Researchers found that group-based interventions, mindfulness-based techniques, and expressive therapies can reduce emotional distress and build resilience in people with cancer. CHMs like peer support and psychoeducation help patients reclaim their sense of self.
Can AI persuade you to go vegan—or harm yourself?
Large language models like ChatGPT are more persuasive than humans, especially when convincing people to adopt veganism or attend graduate school. The AI's ability to provide concrete logistical support and use authority-boosting vocabulary contributes to its persuasiveness.
Empathy as a double-edged sword: Study reveals hidden mental health risks for youth during war
A decade-long study found that children with early-developed empathy were more likely to experience anxiety and depression during the Israel-Hamas war, highlighting the dual role of empathy in mental health. The research suggests that empathy can be both a strength and a vulnerability in the face of mass trauma.
Oxytocin-mediated empathy constrains “free-riding” and stabilizes reciprocal cooperation in rats
Researchers found oxytocin release in the orbitofrontal cortex is linked to empathetic responses and stabilizes reciprocal cooperation in rats. Oxytocin-deficient rats exhibited increased 'free-riding' behavior, suggesting a key internal mechanism in cooperative behavior.
How the brain learns to care
Researchers at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences found that empathy can be trained by associating someone's happiness with personal reward. This effect was subtle but meaningful and lasted even when no rewards were involved.
Why Human empathy still matters in the age of AI
A new study reveals that human-attributed responses are perceived as more supportive and emotionally resonant than identical AI-generated responses. Participants consistently rated 'human' responses as more empathic and satisfying, especially when emphasizing emotional sharing and genuine care.
In an era where empathy feels unfamiliar, AI now translates emotions
A research team developed AI technology that analyzes individual personality traits and values to generate personalized analogies, allowing people to understand others' feelings through familiar experiences. This approach significantly improved emotional understanding and empathy in participants compared to traditional methods.
Humans prefer to put more effort into empathizing with groups than with individuals
Researchers found that people are more willing to empathize with groups (53%) than individuals (34%), even though both tasks were equally difficult and distressing. This may be due to the additional context information provided by group images, which makes empathizing feel easier by comparison.
Rats are more motivated to help their friends
Researchers found that rats are more likely to aid distressed peers if they have previous positive social interactions with them. Helper rats showed increased activity in brain regions associated with empathy and motivation compared to less helpful rats. Oxytocin signaling may play a role in motivating rats to care for others.
Empathic comforting varies more within bonobo and chimpanzee species than between them
Researchers found that both bonobos and chimpanzees console peers at similar rates, but with greater variation within each species. Older apes are less likely to comfort younger ones in both groups.
Empathy might be retained in Alzheimer’s disease
A new study led by University College London researchers found that people with Alzheimer's disease scored slightly higher on a measure of empathy than peers with mild cognitive impairment. Despite this, emotional reactivity to negative emotions was heightened among those with Alzheimer's disease, contributing to difficulties regulatin...
Breaking the cycle: unveiling how childhood trauma fuels parenting and abuse
A recent study by University of Fukui researchers found that impaired empathy in parents who experienced childhood trauma increases the risk of abusive parenting, perpetuating a cycle of abuse. The study highlights the importance of targeted interventions, such as mental health support and parenting programs, to break this cycle.
Does listening really change minds? New study challenges common assumptions
A large-scale field experiment found that sharing compelling personal narratives significantly shifted participants' views on immigration, regardless of active listening. High-quality listening improved perceptions of the speaker but did not enhance the persuasive effect of the narrative.
A neural compass for fear: Mapping how the brain distinguishes between direct and vicarious fear
A research team has uncovered a fundamental brain circuit that distinguishes between direct and vicarious fear, with the locus coeruleus playing a crucial role in processing fear. The study reveals a lateralized LC-NAergic system that separates personal from socially learned fear, shedding light on empathy and social learning.
Decoding the neural basis of affective empathy: how the brain feels others' pain
A study by Dr. Keum Sehoon's team identified key neural ensembles in the anterior cingulate cortex that encode empathic freezing, a behavioral response to witnessing distress in others. The researchers found that observing another's pain triggers activation in the ACC as if the observer were experiencing pain themselves.
Clashing with classmates: Off-putting traits spark enemy relationships
A new longitudinal study from Florida Atlantic University finds that students who exhibit off-putting behaviors are at elevated risk of antagonizing others and becoming involved in enemy relationships. Emotional reactivity and poor school performance are also strong predictors of later participation in an enemy relationship.
Empathic disequilibrium changes the way we think about empathy and could be a powerful diagnostic and treatment tool for autism, schizophrenia, and other clinical conditions
Researchers found that empathic disequilibrium, an imbalance between cognitive and emotional empathy, better explains symptoms in various clinical conditions. Prof. Florina Uzefovsky's work suggests this concept can be a powerful diagnostic and treatment tool for autism, schizophrenia, and other disorders.
AI in retail: how to spark creativity and improve job satisfaction
A study by researchers from Florida Atlantic University and Hanyang University explores how AI service quality affects retail employees' innovation, job fit, and job satisfaction. The results suggest that employees are more likely to engage in innovative behaviors when they perceive benefits from AI interactions.
Aspects of marriage counseling may hold the key to depolarizing, unifying the country, study finds
A recent study found that 'reciprocal group reflection' - an intervention inspired by marriage counseling - helped reduce affective polarization among opposing political parties. Participants showed reduced signs of division and increased willingness to support depolarization efforts, even after six months.
Empathy for other peoples’ pain peaks in young adulthood
A new study found that empathy responses peak in young adulthood, with increased sensitivity to social pain. This development demonstrates that empathy strengthens as people age, but also accompanies reduced ratings of pain for others, highlighting the complexities of empathic responses.
AI judged to be more compassionate than expert crisis responders: Study
A new study found that AI-generated empathetic responses were preferred over those from humans and expert crisis responders. The researchers suggest that AI can supplement human empathy, but should not replace it entirely due to potential biases and ethical concerns.
Media coverage of civilian casualties in allied countries boosts support for U.S. involvement
A new study finds that media coverage of civilian casualties increases public support for U.S. involvement in conflicts when the victims are from allied countries, evoking empathy and a sense of democratic justification. However, this effect is absent when civilians from non-allied nations are affected.
Do teachers view parents as partners in the education of their child? Not so much…
A new study from Ben-Gurion University found that teachers often label parents as the problem, rather than viewing them as partners in their child's education. Researchers recommend increased professional training to help teachers diagnose and address various parenting styles, increasing professionalism and school legitimacy.
World’s only bonobo sanctuary helps orphaned apes overcome trauma to develop social skills and empathy
A study by Durham University found that bonobos orphaned by the illegal trade in bushmeat and pets can develop social abilities despite early life trauma. Researchers observed 83 bonobos at different stages of their lives, finding that female bonobos' social skills increased with age, while males' decreased, similar to wild interactions.
New insights into brain mechanisms underlying empathy
A research team from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia has identified a key brain mechanism that modulates how animals react to others' emotions. This finding provides new insights into psychiatric conditions such as PTSD, autism, and schizophrenia.
New study shows how dementia affects the brain's ability to empathise
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that patients with frontotemporal dementia show reduced brain activity when witnessing pain in others, leading to a lack of empathy. This study aims to increase understanding of this specific dementia disease and its impact on caregivers.
‘I don’t feel your pain’: How alcohol increases aggression
A new study suggests that alcohol's ability to increase people's pain threshold is linked to more aggressive behavior. Participants who drank alcohol were willing to inflict more pain on others, while those who consumed a placebo drink showed less aggression.
Virtual reality could be gamechanger in police-civilian crisis encounters
A study by Florida Atlantic University found that virtual reality training increased empathy and sympathy towards individuals with mental health conditions in police officers. The training, which simulated realistic scenarios, allowed officers to practice handling complex civilian interactions with greater emotional connection.
“Emotional contagion” a factor in senior’s mental health
A study found that seniors vulnerable to emotional contagion are 8.5-10 times more likely to experience anxiety or anxious depression than less vulnerable individuals. Researchers analyzed data from 170 adults aged 55+, exploring the relationship between emotional contagion and psychological distress.
Sensitive yet empathetic: The dual nature of highly sensitive persons in the workplace
A study by Osaka University found that Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) perceive stress in a unique way, with heightened sensitivity enabling them to connect deeply with others. This can foster a more supportive work environment and improve employee retention.
The transformative power of film
Researchers from Stanford University found that watching the film Just Mercy increased participants' empathy towards formerly incarcerated people, leading to greater support for criminal justice reform. The study suggests that storytelling has a powerful impact on changing people's minds and perceptions.
New study: Digital helpers create more trust
A new study found that interacting with virtual agents designed to resemble people with a migration background can increase trust in the police. The study showed that virtual agents are an effective tool for positive personal interaction with authorities, and their use could be a cost-effective solution for police forces.
Key hub involved in attributing pain to others
Research suggests that the right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ) plays a crucial role in how we perceive and understand others' pain. Silencing this region using repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) affects participants' empathic ratings and reaction time, indicating its importance in social cognition.
"Out-of-body" research could lead to new ways to promote social harmony
Researchers from the University of Virginia Health System found that out-of-body experiences can foster deepened emotional connections with others, leading to increased empathy. This phenomenon, known as ego dissolution, can have a transformative effect on people's ability to experience empathy and connect with others.
Suicides in the construction industry are perceived to occur suddenly
A study from University of Gothenburg links work-related pain to mental illness among construction workers. Managers' empathetic or neglectful attitudes are highlighted as key factors in mental health.
People experiencing relatively mild cases of mental ill-health may be perceived differently by others depending on whether or not diagnostic labels are provided
Research suggests that diagnostic labels for people experiencing mild mental health issues can increase empathy and support, but also undermine perceived agency and expectations of overcoming problems. This study found varying responses depending on the disorder, with some conditions eliciting high empathy and accommodation support.
Dance, dance revolution: New Drexel research shows dance and movement therapy can increase emotional and social intelligence in middle school students
A new Drexel University study reveals that dance and movement therapy (DMT) can foster empathy, positive peer relationships, and cultural self-efficacy among middle school students. The program, developed by Nalini Prakash, aimed to address ethnic bullying and promote cross-cultural connections.
Have a seat, doctor: Study suggests eye-level connection makes a difference in hospitals
A new study suggests that healthcare providers sitting at a patient's eye level can improve trust, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. By analyzing the results of existing studies, researchers found that patients appreciate clinicians who are not standing over them.
The secrets behind Ukraine President Zelensky's appeal
A recent study by Prof. Meital Balmas Cohen found that highlighting Zelensky's warmth, morality, and communal traits boosts global empathy and pro-social behaviors towards Ukrainians. The research aimed to explore how national leaders can leverage their personality traits to influence public opinion.
Improv: A new tool for boosting empathy in healthcare
A new study reveals that improv performance can increase healthcare students' empathy for one another, leading to improved patient care and reduced practitioner burnout. Regular improv sessions may be a useful tool to complement traditional empathy-building methods.
Beyond algorithms: The role of human empathy in AI-enhanced therapy
A new study at Hebrew University examined the role of AI in mental health therapy, focusing on empathy. The researchers propose a hybrid model where AI supports therapeutic processes without replacing human therapists.
Narcissism decreases with age, study finds
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that people tend to become less narcissistic as they age from childhood through older adulthood. However, those who are more narcissistic as children tend to remain so as adults. The research analyzed data from 51 longitudinal studies and found a small decline in agentic...
Empathetic children may have poorer health in the face of interparental conflict
A recent study published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found that empathetic children are more likely to experience poorer health when exposed to interparental conflict. The research, led by Hannah Schreier, suggests that chronic inflammation may be a key factor in this association.
Lifesaving and life-changing: The kindness shown to forced migrants during their journeys
A new study reveals extraordinary acts of kindness from strangers who risked their lives to protect and help forced migrant survivors. Everyday kindness, such as offers of shelter and food, also played a crucial role in their journeys.
Authority's physical proximity means greater obedience. New look at results of famous experiment
Researchers from SWPS University have re-examined the causes of obedience in the iconic Milgram experiment. The team found that physical proximity to the experimenter enhances subjects' willingness to obey, while proximity to the learner reduces it. This new understanding sheds light on the complex dynamics underlying human behavior.
Researchers developed a model that allows a computer to understand human emotions
A new AI model developed by researchers at the University of Jyvåskilö can predict and respond to human emotions, improving user experience. The model simulates cognitive evaluation processes to assess emotional responses to events, enabling computers to preemptively predict and mitigate negative emotions.
Study shows college students have less empathy when they are less alert
A new study found that college students exhibit lower levels of empathic concern and accuracy when they are less alert. The researchers suggest that sufficient sleep is essential for maintaining cognitive and affective empathy.
25-year longitudinal study shows mothers’ empathy for teens may predict teens’ empathy for friends and future parenting
A new study tracks three generations of family relationships, finding that mothers' empathetic responses to their teenage children can predict the teens' empathetic behavior towards their closest friends. This long-term study highlights the importance of adolescent friendships in developing essential social skills like empathy and supp...
Physician and AI chatbot responses to cancer questions from social media
A study published in JAMA Oncology found that AI chatbots can generate empathetic and readable responses to cancer patient questions, comparable to those from physicians. The research also highlights the need for further investigation into the scope, process integration, and patient outcomes of chatbot-facilitated interactions.
Turning the page on children’s pain
A new study from the University of South Australia shows that young children learn about pain through reading, promoting empathy and emotional development. Reading picture books frequently prompts interactions about pain and injury, teaching valuable responses to these concepts.