It is possible to acquire or lose this ability to put oneself in another’s place by observing one’s environment.
- Depending on whether we observe empathic or non-empathetic reactions, the evaluation of this intuitive faculty increases or decreases.
- This change is reflected by the neural processing of empathy in the anterior insula and its functional connectivity with the temporoparietal junction.
- The transmission of empathy relies on mathematical learning models.
We know: human beings learn by observing others. Thus, several theories of moral development suggest that empathy can be transmitted from one person to another. However, the mechanisms by which this intuitive faculty is socially transmitted are unclear. This is why researchers from the University Hospital of Würzburg (Germany) decided to carry out work published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“The increase or decrease in empathy is induced through mathematical learning models”
As part of this work, they asked European and Asian women, young and older, to first watch videos showing hands receiving painful stimulation. Then, the participants indicated their feelings during this experience. After giving their own rating, they saw other people’s empathetic or non-empathetic reactions to the same videos. Finally, the volunteers again rated their empathy, this time in relation to another person’s pain.
The authors found that observing others’ empathic reactions led to an increase, while observing non-empathetic reactions led to a decrease in participants’ empathy. “Interestingly, the neural response to another person’s pain also changed,” said Grit Huh, neuroscientist and co-author of the research. According to the results, neural changes measured by scanners translated into altered connectivity in the anterior insula, a brain region associated with empathy processing. “This means that the increase or decrease in empathy is actually induced through mathematical learning models.”
Empathy: mutual respect is necessary for long-term development
According to the team, working in an empathetic environment is important. Indeed, this ability can be transformed into prosocial motivation, increasing cooperation and the willingness to help. “Therefore, those who create a work environment devoid of empathy for reasons of cost savings, time constraints or poor management must be aware that such behavior shapes employees in the long term and, in turn, affects their interactions with customers or patients.” However, scientists have clarified that excessive empathy can cause stress and lead to burnout or work stoppage.
“We have the means to shape the capacity for empathy in adults through appropriate measures. However, for empathy to develop in the long term, it requires an atmosphere of mutual respect. You can respect someone without having empathy for him, but it is difficult to develop empathy if the other person is not respected as a human being or if lack of respect is accepted in society”, concluded Grit Hein.
