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Empathy

The good, the bad, and the ugly

Trust
Trust Me, I'm an Expert

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on September 29, 2020

From spanking to social distancing, can we trust advice we don’t like?

From spanking to social distancing, can we trust advice we don’t like?

Stress
Are We Torturing Our Teens?

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on August 28, 2020

It's been a tough year—yet many teenagers are less anxious than they were last year. Why is school more stressful for them than COVID-19?

It's been a tough year—yet many teenagers are less anxious than they were last year. Why is school more stressful for them than COVID-19?

Friends
Fighting Talk

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on September 6, 2014

Spectators to conflict are never neutral: how biased reports evolve over time to escalate conflict – independent of the conflict itself.

Spectators to conflict are never neutral: how biased reports evolve over time to escalate conflict – independent of the conflict itself.

Empathy
Robonanny

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on May 3, 2013

Would women in developed countries have more children if they had robots to help them take care of them?

Would women in developed countries have more children if they had robots to help them take care of them?

Empathy
Imitation: Not the Sincerest Form of Empathy

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on March 19, 2013

Does empathy develop from emotional contagion – catching an emotion from someone else? Aren't you more likely to empathize with someone when you can feel as they are feeling? Well, not necessarily.

Does empathy develop from emotional contagion – catching an emotion from someone else? Aren't you more likely to empathize with someone when you can feel as they are feeling? Well, not necessarily.

Altruism
‘Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?’

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on February 28, 2013

The right song lyrics or briefest message on the check can make us tip waiting staff more generously.

The right song lyrics or briefest message on the check can make us tip waiting staff more generously.

Empathy
Open Wide

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on January 31, 2013

The helping profession that has people squirming and begging for mercy.

The helping profession that has people squirming and begging for mercy.

Ed and Dave Milliband
Family Dynamics
He Ain't Heavy...or Is He?

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on December 13, 2012

There’s a common belief that having siblings promotes the development of empathy—but is it that simple?

There’s a common belief that having siblings promotes the development of empathy—but is it that simple?

Media
Send in Haste, Repent at Leisure

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on November 21, 2012

The responsible use of social media needs to be taught at school because it is changing the way children’s empathy and social skills develop.

The responsible use of social media needs to be taught at school because it is changing the way children’s empathy and social skills develop.

Hoarding
Empathy
Hoarding and Empathy

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on November 7, 2012

The emotional attachment of a hoarder to their stuff could stem from an excess of empathy. As if stuff had feelings that could be hurt.

The emotional attachment of a hoarder to their stuff could stem from an excess of empathy. As if stuff had feelings that could be hurt.

Depression
Summertime Sadness

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on July 26, 2012

If you really must ruminate—do it in the sunshine but keep busy in bad weather.

If you really must ruminate—do it in the sunshine but keep busy in bad weather.

Play
War Games: What Are They Good For?

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on July 4, 2012

“Video games are bad for you? That’s what they said about rock and roll.” Shigeru Myamoto. Just what is the link between violent video games and bad behavior?

“Video games are bad for you? That’s what they said about rock and roll.” Shigeru Myamoto. Just what is the link between violent video games and bad behavior?

Personality
Thy Fearful Symmetry

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on June 20, 2012

Could a link between facial symmetry and anti-social traits be an echo from the dark side of human history?

Could a link between facial symmetry and anti-social traits be an echo from the dark side of human history?

Bias
A Brit, an American and a Mexican Went into a Bar…

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on May 30, 2012

Perspective-taking means putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. It helps us to understand other people and it undermines the way we create and maintain stereotypes.

Perspective-taking means putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes. It helps us to understand other people and it undermines the way we create and maintain stereotypes.

Empathy
Developing Empathy: Don't Take Away the Music

Gillian Ragsdale Ph.D. on May 2, 2012

Encouraging children to make music teaches them more than a valuable creative skill—it makes them nicer to each other.

Encouraging children to make music teaches them more than a valuable creative skill—it makes them nicer to each other.