advertisement

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

The Difference Between Sympathy, Compassion, & Empathy

This dog is showing the fawn compassion, not empathy.

Another book excerpt (from Mighty: Equipping Boys With The Skills They Need To Control Their Emotions, Understand Others, And Lead Powerful And Productive Lives):

Many people use the words Sympathy, Compassion, and Empathy interchangeably. But, they are most definitely different concepts. Let me briefly define them:

Sympathy: sharing a feeling with someone (usually a negative feeling)
Compassion: feeling sorry for someone's misfortunate (aka pity)
Empathy: intellectually understanding why a person is feeling the way he/she is feeling

On the surface, all three words sound like they mean the same thing, but they do not. It is possible to have empathy for another person but feel no sympathy for that individual. It is equally possible to show someone compassion without having any understanding why that person is feeling the way he/she is feeling. Of course, all three concepts are related, and a person who is more empathic is likely to be more compassionate.[1] But, it is not right to lump them all together as if they are the same concept.

For example, there is no reason why a person would need to have sympathy (sharing a feeling of anger, for example) in order to have empathy. After a thorough understanding of a murderer’s life circumstances, a judge might be able to understand why the murderer was angry and why he felt he needed to kill his victim. But, the judge does not need to share those feelings with the murderer. The judge may not even need to feel compassion toward the murderer. But, the judge will be more likely to make an informed decision about the murderer’s sentence by having empathy. Empathy is not a free pass. It is a tool we can use to get along with others. However, when we conflate empathy with compassion and sympathy, it can actually cloud our judgment and cause us to make decisions that do not benefit society as a whole.[2]

From now on, think of empathy as an intellectual exercise and as something a person can have for one another. Sympathy and compassion are feeling states, and they are something a person can feel for one another.

Developing empathy does not mean turning into a pushover. In fact, it can lead to great strength in conflictual and moral situations—understanding where another person is coming from is crucial. But, that does not mean the empathizer needs to feel sorry for others or feel sympathy when no sympathy is due. Teaching empathy is not about pitying others. It is about helping people regulate their emotions and have empathy toward others in order to grow into strong, mighty individuals.




[1] Johnson, et al. (2002)
[2] Breithaupt (2012); Choe & Min (2011)



Powered byEMF Web Form


Thanks for reading-- Max Wachtel, Ph.D.
www.maxwachtel.com
www.twitter.com/mwachtel
www.facebook.com/drmaxwachtel
www.youtube.com/drmaxwachtel

36 comments:

Websites create searching possible for anyone since you can position your current get via wherever plus the product or service are going to be provided to your current house. fake hublot A huge various solutions can be purchased on one listing. fake hublot Your filter for the internet sites let you choose the product or service of your respective alternative at a glance. hublot replica uk Additionally, they present you with numerous gives along with savings and still provide a number of settlement possibilities similar to income in supply, minute card settlement as well as net bank. replica hublot They have got customer-friendly give back along with substitution plans for ones benefit. fake rolex uk A whole new precious stone enjoy exudes fashion, glamor, high-class in conclusion type. Persons via most guides regarding lifestyle currently realize that will, a new precious stone enjoy increases their unique particular person impression of achievements, nevertheless is usually a wonderful expenditure.

Sorry but Dr. Max Wachtel has got it completely WRONG! I did not have to go past his definitions to know that he has them totally messed up

Thank you so much! It is an remarkable web page.

Generic Levitra Soft

Your site is truly cool and this is an extraordinary moving article.  make my assignment

There are three different meanings of sympathy, compassion, and empathy but there is no other meaning for human health. Because nowadays human getting sick and infirm. The sleeping problems like narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and insomnia have also grown as a big health problem. Many doctors imply modafinil pills for the treatment of the sleeping disorder. Buy modafinil online at a cheap price.

We the company founded in 1977 and started franchising since 1992, United Check Cashing and landed as a check casher industry in USA. We are covering most of the cities and still giving you the best services within very short period with top notch http://www.unitedcheckcashing.com satisfaction. We can trace us 24/7 and you are always welcome
unitedcheckcashing.com

Great Article
I am also read every article for many ideas and words learn increase ideas. Thanks sharing this article.

Capture Headlines
Padman Full Movie Download 480p
Happy Valentine Day Images 2018
Aiyaary Full Movie Download 480p

So nice post it is. Here the dog is showing his/her sympathy for the deer. But some small animals are so much dangerous for your home and food items also. If you need to get rid of from that animals you should be check my site pest control denver to get solution of it.

This is Awesome post and thanks for sharing such a nice post and thanks for share and i waiting such great post share to you.
Thanks and Regards
Where to find Genuine Generic Viagra

Thank you very much for sharing this very useful information, I am very happy to have found this information that I have been looking for
Obat Batuk Berdarah
Cara Menghilangkan Amandel
Obat Infeksi Mata
Propolis Brazil Walatra
Cara Menyembuhkan Luka Jahitan
Obat Pengapuran Otak
Cara Mengobati Bronkitis

yet they will cover approaching costs previously the following paycheck comes. It's an elective cash alternative, these credits ought to be talked about by the two accomplices preceding utilizing one. payday loans san diego

Fundamentally, it is a sort of exchange in which clients can approach the administrations offered by the bank as a check issued and approved by the bank itself. quick cash advance Chicago

I enjoyed over read your blog post. Your blog have nice information, I got good ideas from this amazing blog. I am always searching like this type blog post. I hope I will see again.
Menmyshop
Touch Hypersonic Double Din Player Mirror
J3L Touch Double Din Player
Hypersonic Double Din Player Mirror
J3L Double Din Player Mirror
Hyundai Xcent OEM Double Din Player
banzara

โปรโมชั่นใหม่ “แจกโบนัส สูงสุดทันที 1,000 บาท”
gclub online โปรโมชั่น แบบครบวงจรที่คอยอัพเดทข่าวสารเกี่ยวกับโปรโมชั่น จีคลับ บาคาร่าออนไลน์ สล็อตออนไลน์ ตลอดทั้ง 24 ชั่วโมง เพื่อให้ท่านได้สามารถเข้าร่วมสนุกไปกับเกมออนไลน์ของเราได้ตลอดเวลาโปรโมชั่นสำหรับสมาชิก Premium, VIP ที่แจกโบนัสให้สูงที่สุด 10% และโปรโมชั่นแบบรายวัน สำหรับคำขอบคุณที่มอบให้กับ โปรโมชั่น gclub

This comment has been removed by the author.

BSER will announce Rajasthan Board 8th Result 2021 in the first week of June 2021. More than 11 lakh students will be waiting for the 8th board RBSE result 2021 date. The board will publish class 8 result 2021 Rajasthan Board on rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in and rajresults.nic.in. Students will need to visit Rajasthan Ajmer 8th board result 2021 website to access their results. Roll number is the key credential to check 8 class board result 2021. The direct link to check the RBSE 8th result 2021 will be provided here RBSE 8th Board Result 2021
as soon as it is announced. Only students who appear for March 2021 will be able to access rajresults.nic.in 2021 Class 8 result.

Great article by the great author, it is very massive and informative but still preaches the way to sounds like that it has some beautiful thoughts described so I really appreciate this article. Best pest control services McKinney Tx Services Provider

my review here my company try this replica wallets take a look at the site here you can try here

visit this site right here best replica designer have a peek at this web-site Ysl replica bags go to these guys Chrome-Hearts Dolabuy

Post a Comment

Share

Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More