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empathy

·April 20, 2020·3 min read

Virtual reality makes empathy easier

First-person embodiment via virtual reality could help to treat those with empathy disorders. It could also assist violent offenders to develop an ability to empathize with their victims.

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·March 9, 2020·3 min read

The brain has two systems for thinking about others’ thoughts

Study reveals two different brain structures are implicated in implicit and explicit theory of mind, and both regions mature at different ages to fulfill their function. The supramarginal gyrus matures earlier, enabling theory of mind to occur slightly earlier than believed. Full ability for theory of mind occurs at age four when the temporoparietal junction matures.

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·March 6, 2020·4 min read

Rats avoid to hurt other rats: Findings shed light on human empathy disorders

Rats show altruistic behavior and avoid harming other rats. Researchers report harm aversion is deeply engrained in our biology. The findings pave the way to increasing harm aversion in those with empathy disorders, such as psychopathy and sociopathy.

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·February 25, 2020·3 min read

Social anxiety could be an empathy imbalance

Taijin-kyofusho, a form of social anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of causing others discomfort as a result of the sufferer's behavioral reactions, is linked to hypersensitivity of the emotional states of others and an inability to identify emotional context.

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·February 19, 2020·4 min read

Neuroimaging reveals empathy can be detected in people whose brains are at rest

Brain activity while in a resting state can predict how empathetic a person is. Researcher used a combination of neuroimaging data and machine learning to identify subtle patterns in brain activity associated with empathy.

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·February 4, 2020·5 min read

Altruistic babies? Study shows infants are willing to give up food and help others

As early as 19 months of age, children start to show altruistic behaviors. The study reports even when a small child is hungry, they will give their snack to a stranger in need. Findings reveal not only do young children engage in altruistic behavior, but early social experiences can also help shape future altruistic behaviors.

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·January 29, 2020·5 min read

Study challenges assumptions about social interaction difficulties in autism

Successful social interactions for adults on the autism spectrum revolve around partner compatibility, not just the skill set of the other person.

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·January 27, 2020·4 min read

How personality predicts seeing others as sex objects

Those with dark personality traits such as psychopathy, sadism, low affective empathy, narcissism, cold-heartedness, and meanness, are more likely to sexually objectify those of the opposite sex.

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·January 14, 2020·4 min read

Siblings of children with intellectual disabilities score high on empathy and closeness

The relationship between typically developing children and siblings with intellectual disabilities is more positive than the relationship between typically developing siblings.

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·January 7, 2020·3 min read

The dark side of supportive relationships

Study explores the dynamics and repercussions of unconditional support in interpersonal relationships.

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·December 12, 2019·6 min read

The empathy option: The science of how and why we choose to be empathetic

Is empathy really on the decline, as a recent study suggests? Researchers investigate how and why people chose to be empathetic, or to avoid empathy, in their daily lives.

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·December 5, 2019·4 min read

Rats use same brain area as humans to empathize with others

Reducing activity in the anterior cingulate decreases empathetic responses in rats. The data suggests an observer shares the emotions of others as it enables them to prepare for danger.