Talk:Motivation and emotion/Book/Empathy

Comments
Re: Chapter on empathy Hi LTB

Hope it's ok to comment on your draft outline. Empathy sounds like it will be a great topic.

Really like the idea of doing something intereactive, like a quiz. Making the distinction between empathy and sympathy is a really good idea too.

Noticed you were getting into the biological underpinnings of empathy by looking at the impact of hormones. Wondered if you'd thought about including something about the (possible) role of mirror neurons - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_neuron#Empathy - & perhaps discarded it already.

Exploring whether empathy motivates volunteering also sounds like a good fit. It made me wonder to what extent it contributes to making people in the helping professions, like psychologists, more effective at their jobs. & whether there is a downside to empathy that needs to be managed - i.e. does it contribute to burnout in these profession if there aren't any boundaries set.

I'm also working on a chapter on emotions (about shame). You're more than welcome to comment if you'd like. I'll definitely be watching your chapter with interest. Hope the comments are helpful. Jeanette 09:47, 18 October 2011 (UTC)

Hi LTB, I like your outline. Made me realise that this subject could be quite challenging to get your head around. Empathy vs Sympathy for instance, I hadn't thought to differentiate before. Look forward to reading more Crazydaisy 23:09, 24 October 2011 (UTC)Crazydaisy

Hi LTB, Also like the 2 boxes on sympathy and empathy as people sometimes don't understand the difference. I saw the earlier about mirror neurons and I am sure I have read something about child development and how interaction between child and mother/father use these mirror neurons. Also if you wanted to include anything on child development and how secure attachment helps us individual's develop empathy and how trauma in children can stunt one's development of empathy. Also if you wanted to include any issues of psychopathology and some personality disorders and how empathy is not developed in some individuals. (Benk 03:26, 29 October 2011 (UTC))

Hi, I really like what you've done so far. Its great that you've made it directly relevant to life! Also, you have a great outline in terms of what you will cover. I'm just wondering (of course, there is no need to include it if you don't think it fits) if you might like to include what happens when one doesn't have empathy, or when empathy is a bad thing such as in war. I think that this would provide a nice contrast to all the benefits and good things empathy provides.U3033746 11:39, 31 October 2011 (UTC)

Hi Ltb, I just wanted to thank you for the link to some volunteering images. I had been struggling to find them and this helped considerably. I'm not sure if I can offer you anything as useful at this stage, but lots of encouragement. The page + info is looking great.Crazydaisy 09:13, 1 November 2011 (UTC)

I really like the layout of your chapter. Comparing sympathy and empathy is effective as they are often confused. I have done a few counselling units and empathy is emphasised as an essential professional skill. There are many articles available through ebsco, and I found the testbook [Geldard, D. & Geldard, K. (2009). Basic personal counselling: a training manual for counsellors (6th ed.). Frenchs Forest: Pearson Pren5ce Hall] relevant if you have a chance to have a look. Good work :) AngeM 23:11, 2 November 2011 (UTC)

Hi Ltb, I just took your quizzes and got 0/4 and 0/3 - not sure what that says about me!!! :-) Crazydaisy 03:43, 3 November 2011 (UTC)

Hi LTB, I love the layout of your page! It's beautiful! I had a look at your issue with the quiz... and I can't seem to think of a solution. You would think that making both of them a plus would work but it doesn't :-( My only suggestion would be that you make a "NOTE" under each quiz saying that you do not need to submit the quiz and there is no right and wrong answer - it is for reflection purposes only. KristaLeanne 00:12, 4 November 2011 (UTC)

Ltb, its that Crazy Daisy again. Hope you don't mind, but I've stolen your "see also" idea. I am cross-referencing your chapter, so you get a mention!!Crazydaisy 07:42, 4 November 2011 (UTC)

Draft comments
Well done and getting this chapter draft and calling for feedback. Some comments from a quick review: Sincerely, James -- Jtneill - Talk - c 04:10, 29 October 2011 (UTC)
 * 1) I've made some minor 'wikifications' of your page, but well done - it's look great and clearly going a long way towards being accessible and interesting.
 * 2) I like the comment about including mirror neurons to boost the neurological perspective.
 * 3) What is the difference between empathy and sympathy? - Love the boxes, but add a bit more discussion - what is the difference (and what is the similiarity) and why does this matter?
 * 4) You might consider the opposite of empathy (empathy ... narcissism ... sociopathy) - so, perhaps the focus here is one end of a spectrum. Understanding what motivates narcissism (you can link to other chapters and resources on this), might help in understanding motivation for empathy.
 * 5) Hormones content (oxytocin) sounds promising - will tie nicely into motivational aspect of empathy and could help with explaining an evolutionary perspective on empathy---narcissism.
 * 6) It could be helpful to relate this to the Week 11/12 content on individual differences and personality e.g., how related is empathy to the big 5 personality factors, esp. agreeableness?
 * 7) Quiz idea is excellent - can you explain/tie this back into theory/research about mood and empathy?
 * 8) Peer pressure - link to the peer influence chapter
 * 9) Other theories - these could be helpful, but I'd also be prepared to leave them out and just concentrate on say 3 key perspectives. I think its better to cover a small amount of content well than a lot of content poorly. Then explain in the general introduction what the underlying problem/question is and which motivational perspectives will be used and why. In providing take-home messages in the conclusion, clearly explain what can be done now to enhance the occurrence of empathy based on, say, the three key perspectives.

Boxes with icons
Maybe try something like this?



Right box
Or let me know if you want different. -- Jtneill - Talk - c 04:24, 29 October 2011 (UTC)

Discussion
Hi all, Thanks for your feedback. Mirror neurons are a very interesting addition to my page - thanks you for the suggestions. But I am realising how much there is still to do! :) Ltb 00:33, 31 October 2011 (UTC)

Link to oxytocin TED talk
Hi LTB

Not sure if you'd seen this already. Ted talk on oxytocin. Refers to empathy. May be a good link for you. http://neurologicalcorrelates.com/wordpress/2011/11/03/from-ted-paul-zak-trust-morality-and-oxytocin-video/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter Regards Jeanette 14:11, 3 November 2011 (UTC)

This is a really great chapter - the quiz was excellent - congratulations - Magnolia

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 00:36, 26 November 2011 (UTC)

-- Jtneill - Talk - c 03:59, 10 December 2011 (UTC)