Verified by Psychology Today

Social Empathy

How we understand others.

Empathy
Does Racism Mean There's a Lack of Empathy?

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on May 31, 2021

Racism, the belief that one racial group is inferior or superior to another racial group, denies our shared humanity. Seeing our commonalities is required for empathy.

Racism, the belief that one racial group is inferior or superior to another racial group, denies our shared humanity. Seeing our commonalities is required for empathy.

Empathy
Call Me Crazy But I Like Paying Taxes

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on April 15, 2021

Are you dreading having to pay your income taxes? Consider alternative ways to view your taxes; you might even feel better about it.

Are you dreading having to pay your income taxes? Consider alternative ways to view your taxes; you might even feel better about it.

Empathy
Empathy in an Online World

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on March 14, 2021

We risk losing empathy in our virtual worlds because we need contextual understanding. But all is not lost; there are ways we can build context remotely.

We risk losing empathy in our virtual worlds because we need contextual understanding. But all is not lost; there are ways we can build context remotely.

Empathy
What Do We Lose When We Connect in a Two-Dimensional World?

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on February 26, 2021

Living so much of life virtually is taking a toll on our understanding of the lived reality of others. We need to find creative ways to make up for the loss of shared context.

Living so much of life virtually is taking a toll on our understanding of the lived reality of others. We need to find creative ways to make up for the loss of shared context.

Fear
Conquering Fear

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on December 26, 2020

Fear can feel powerful and paralyze us, but it does not have to be that way. Productive fear can keep us safe from danger and propel us to achieve great accomplishments.

Fear can feel powerful and paralyze us, but it does not have to be that way. Productive fear can keep us safe from danger and propel us to achieve great accomplishments.

Fear
When Fear Divides Us

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on December 13, 2020

Fear can help us by warning against danger, but it can also cloud our thinking and block us from empathy. We need to distinguish between real fear and false fear.

Fear can help us by warning against danger, but it can also cloud our thinking and block us from empathy. We need to distinguish between real fear and false fear.

Empathy
Yes, Empathy Is on the Ballot

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on October 31, 2020

Elections bring out our desire to be heard and understood. That means that empathy is part of the political process.

Elections bring out our desire to be heard and understood. That means that empathy is part of the political process.

Empathy
A Thought Exercise That Might Save Your Life

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on September 27, 2020

Thought exercises are ways that we use our imagination to plan for events that might happen. Empathy can be a great tool to help with that thinking process.

Thought exercises are ways that we use our imagination to plan for events that might happen. Empathy can be a great tool to help with that thinking process.

Empathy
Empathy Does Not Mean Acceptance

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on August 31, 2020

Does your empathy lead you to feel bad for people to the point of excusing their bad behavior? That's not empathy. We can and should hold people accountable for their actions.

Does your empathy lead you to feel bad for people to the point of excusing their bad behavior? That's not empathy. We can and should hold people accountable for their actions.

Empathy
Empathy Is Not a Weakness

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on August 2, 2020

Why do some people in powerful positions think that empathy is weak? Empathy requires well-honed skills that take strength, discipline, and fortitude to develop.

Why do some people in powerful positions think that empathy is weak? Empathy requires well-honed skills that take strength, discipline, and fortitude to develop.

Empathy can help us repair the world
Empathy
We Need Real Empathy

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D. on June 6, 2020

Today more than ever, we need social empathy — the ability to understand the lived realities of people from other groups and how history has impacted their lives.

Today more than ever, we need social empathy — the ability to understand the lived realities of people from other groups and how history has impacted their lives.