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Study finds empathy can be detected in people whose brains are at rest

Researchers found that brain activity while resting can reveal a person's empathic disposition, potentially helping health care professionals better assess those with autism or schizophrenia. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to analyze brain scans and machine learning algorithms to predict participants' empathy levels.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences·JournalFrontiers in Integrative Neuroscience·DateFeb 18, 2020

Women wearing hijabs in news stories may be judged negatively

A study by Penn State researchers found that women wearing hijabs in news stories can elicit harsher social judgment, with conservatives showing lower empathy and perceived innocence. The study suggests potential obstacles for women who wear hijabs in the real world, highlighting the need for more nuanced portrayals in media.

SourcePenn State·JournalMass Communication & Society·DateDec 3, 2019

Do single people suffer more?

Researchers found that men and women exhibited higher pain thresholds and lower sensory pain ratings when their partners were present. The study suggests that partner empathy can buffer affective distress during pain exposure, even without verbal or physical contact.

SourceDe Gruyter·JournalScandinavian Journal of Pain·DateAug 23, 2019

Researchers suggest empathy be a factor in medical school admissions

A cross-sectional study of over 16,000 osteopathic medical students found that high empathy scores are linked to better clinical competence and patient outcomes. The study established national norms for assessing medical students' empathy, which can help identify students who need additional education to boost their level of empathy.

SourceAmerican Osteopathic Association·JournalThe Journal of the American Osteopathic Association·DateJul 25, 2019

Responding to extremist attacks: For Muslim leaders, 'It's damned if you do, damned if you don't'

A University of Michigan study found that expressing empathy for victims after an extremist attack can alleviate negative responses from non-Muslims. However, accepting group responsibility can cultivate perceptions of collective guilt and backfire, increasing the perception that Muslim Americans are to blame for terrorist acts.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalMedia Psychology·DateApr 30, 2019

Schadenfreude: Your pain is my gain

A new study by the University of Zurich finds that schadenfreude is more likely to occur in highly competitive working environments, where one person's misfortune can facilitate another's success. The study suggests that this emotion can be contagious and lead to vicious cycles of mistreatment.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalAcademy of Management Review·DateApr 24, 2019

Beyond romance

A new study explores how an individual's genetics and brain activity correlate with altruistic behaviors directed toward romantic partners. The team found that pathways related to bonding in other animals showed up in humans, suggesting a link between empathy and altruism more generally.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalBehavioral Neuroscience·DateFeb 11, 2019

Does putting the brakes on outrage bottle up social change?

A team of psychologists found that moral outrage can lead to collective action and inspire people to take part in long-term social change. The study, published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, combined findings from moral psychology and intergroup psychology to investigate the dynamics of outrage.

SourcePenn State·JournalTrends in Cognitive Sciences·DateOct 23, 2018

Virtual reality may encourage empathic behavior

A study published in PLOS ONE found that virtual reality systems can aid perspective-taking and foster empathy, leading to more altruistic behaviors. Participants who used VR reported higher levels of empathy and were more likely to sign petitions supporting homeless populations.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 17, 2018

Effectively expressing empathy to improve ICU care

A study published in JAMA Network Open found that physicians who showed unburied empathy during care conferences had more effective conversations with families, leading to better patient outcomes. The researchers recommend slowing down, using the 'NURSE' mnemonic, and avoiding transitions like 'but' to improve empathetic communication.

SourceChildren's National Hospital·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateAug 14, 2018

Empathetic dogs lend a helping paw

Research shows that dogs that remain calm and exhibit empathy during their owner's distress help out faster. Therapy dogs performed as well as other dogs in opening doors, highlighting the importance of traits like obedience over human-animal bonding.

SourceSpringer·JournalLearning & Behavior·DateJul 24, 2018

Empathetic police are less effective in the face of public criticism, study says

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that empathetic police officers who feel undervalued perform poorly in their duties. In contrast, conservative officers with punitive approaches to justice tend to maintain high performance levels despite public criticism. Policymakers are urged to address the issue by implementi...

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAdministrative Science Quarterly·DateJun 28, 2018

Study finds that genes play a role in empathy

A new study found that genetics contribute to individual differences in empathy, with genetic variants associated with lower empathy linked to higher autism risk. Women are also more empathetic than men, but this difference is not due to DNA, suggesting non-genetic factors at play.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateMar 11, 2018

Genes play a role in empathy

A new study published in Translational Psychiatry found that genetic variations contribute to individual differences in empathy, with women generally showing higher levels of empathy than men. The research also linked genetic variants associated with lower empathy to a higher risk for autism.

SourceInstitut Pasteur·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateMar 11, 2018