The ability to empathize, or share the pain of others is mapped onto neurons in the insula, a new study reports.
The same brain system that helps us to avoid danger is also activated during selfless, helping behaviors, allowing us to help others in danger.
Powerful hierarchical situations make it easier for individuals to commit harmful actions. The reason for this, researchers say, is because empathy and agency become split across multiple individuals.
Researchers found both behavioral and neural mechanism evidence that empathy is promoted with long-term ballroom dancing training.
People who show less compassion and emotion toward images of environmental disasters are generally less empathetic and emotional overall.
Study sheds new light on the genetics underlying possible social differences between modern humans, our ancestors, and other primate species.
People who are more accurate at reading another person's emotions are better able to understand what a musician is trying to convey through their compositions. Additionally, those with higher empathetic accuracy are better able to feel the emotions conveyed through music.
Neuroimaging study reveals those with psychopathy have a 10% larger striatum than non-psychopaths. Researchers say the increased size of the striatum, a brain area associated with cognitive and social functions, may account for a higher likelihood of impulsive behaviors and increased need for stimulation often associated with psychopathy. Additionally, researchers suggest there may be an element of heredity in the neural anatomy, adding support to the neurodevelopmental perspective of psychopathy.
Mothers and children who participated in empathy skill training had better relationships and improved overall well-being, a new study reports.
Teaching children to be kind and practicing kindness at home improves a parent's resilience and a child's empathy.
The stress hormone cortisol reduces altruistic behaviors and alters brain activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in people with higher levels of empathy.
Despite common thought, not all people with dark triad disorders are void of empathy. Some people with dark triad disorders experience above-average empathetic capabilities. Researchers shed light on "dark empaths" and empathy deficits in those with dark triad disorders.
