Title
Assessing empathy / Elizabeth A. Segal, Karen E. Gerdes, Cynthia A. Lietz, M. Alex Wagaman, and Jennifer M. Geiger.
ISBN
9780231181914 (paperback)
0231181914 (paperback)
9780231181907
0231181906
9780231543880
Published
New York : Columbia University Press, [2017]
Language
English
Description
179 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Call Number
BF575.E55 S44 2017
Dewey Decimal Classification
152.4/1
Summary
The book begins with a discussion of the current understanding of empathy in neurological, biological, and behavioral terms. The authors explain why empathy is important on both the individual and societal levels. They then introduce the concepts of interpersonal empathy and social empathy, and how these processes can interrelate or operate separately. Finally, they examine the weaknesses of extant empathy assessments before introducing three new, validated measures: the Empathy Assessment Index, the Social Empathy Index, and the Interpersonal and Social Empathy Index.
"Empathy is a widely used term, but it is also difficult to define. In recent years, the field of cognitive neuroscience has made impressive strides in identifying neural networks in the brain related to or triggered by empathy. Still, what exactly do we mean when we say that someone has--or lacks--empathy? How is empathy distinguished from sympathy or pity? And is society truly suffering from an "empathy deficit," as some experts have charged?? In Assessing Empathy, Elizabeth A. Segal and colleagues marshal years of research to present a comprehensive definition of empathy, one that links neuroscientific evidence to human service practice. The book begins with a discussion of our current understanding of empathy in neurological, biological, and behavioral terms. The authors explain why empathy is important on both the individual and societal levels. They then introduce the concepts of interpersonal empathy and social empathy, and how these processes can interrelate or operate separately. Finally, they examine the weaknesses of extant empathy assessments before introducing three new, validated measures: the Empathy Assessment Index, the Social Empathy Index, and the Interpersonal and Social Empathy Index." -- Publisher's description
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references (pages 149-172) and index.
What is empathy?
The building blocks of empathy
Why is empathy important?
Why is empathy so difficult to achieve?
Linking interpersonal and social empathy
Tools for measuring and assessing empathy
Appendix A. Research and statistical analysis of the relationship between interpersonal empathy and social empathy
Appendix B. Empathy Assessment Index
Appendix C. Social Empathy Index
Appendix D. Interpersonal and Social Empathy Index
Appendix E. Spanish translation of the Empathy Assessment Index, the Social Empathy Index, and the Interpersonal and Social Empathy Index / by David Becerra and María del Rosario Silva Arciniega.
