At what age does a child develop empathy, and are there ways of
teaching empathy? In the article written by Perri Klass, the concept of
empathy, referred as prosocial behavior of children as well as humans in
general is discussed. As Dr. Decety explained, empathy is ability to concern,
experience emotions with another individual. Furthermore, it seems we are
predisposed with negative responses to seeing an individual in pain. This was
demonstrated through rats choosing not to push a lever for food when realized
that it brought upon to a neighbor rat.
Just as the rat, the child in the article seemingly started to cry
when he noticed his sister's distress to an ear checkup. In response to the
child's cry one one wonder whether he was crying due to feeling empathy for his
sister's pain or whether he simply wanted attention. According to Dr. Nancy
Eisenberg, professor at Arizona State University,"Attempts at concern and
reassurance can be seen in children as young as 1." Therefore, it may be
likely that the child understood his sister's pain and was simply responding.
So how do children understand empathy and how do they build it? Empathy may be
predisposed within us, but also highly environmental conditional. On
the other hand, there are studies stating the idea of a genetic component to
empathy as proven by twin studies. Not meaning that there is a gene controlling
empathy, but the possibility of heritability of personality characteristics.
However, the concept of empathy and the reason for it may be
broken down into two reasonings according professor Scott Huettel at Duke
University. The first concept is the idea that it simply "feels good"
to help others. Studies show that the part of the brain dealing with reward
lights up not only during "normal" rewarding experiences but also
when helping others. Therefore, when one empathizes with another, it may be
thought as helping the individual causing for the "feel good" reward
to light up. The other idea is based on the recognition of other's needs. The
two can work hand in hand to raise up empathy. The example given in the article
was, giving money to those who donate blood. This would not only extrinsically
reward an individual but it would also be intrinsic as one understands they
helped save a life.
Therefore, since it has been proven that empathy can be learned
from one's environment at a young age it is beneficial to foster empathy,
prosocial behavior, before the child learns to speak. The explanation of
other's emotions is crucial to understanding and acting on empathy. However, it
should be cautioned that children should not always be rewarded for their
goodness but that they should voluntarily understand and build up their
"feel good" reward bank. So the next time one baby cries and you
notice every other baby crying realize they are acting on their empathy and
applaud them
No comments:
Post a Comment