Social Empathy

How we understand others.

Elizabeth A. Segal, Ph.D.

OK Boomers: It's Time to Remember Our Youthful Days

Are you bothered by the new phrase "OK Boomer" or are you happy to use the term? Using empathy can help us understand what it means.

Not All Impeachments Are the Same

What makes the impeachment inquiry of today unlike the one of 1998? Seeing ourselves in the shoes of others makes the difference.

Why Do We Keep Bullies in Our Lives?

Why do bullies captivate us? Because their insight into us can feel like empathy.

Power Blocks Empathy

Have you ever worked for a boss who was uncaring and lacked understanding? Likely you were experiencing the mismatch between power and empathy.

Drive Like Your Kids Live Here

Even a simple road sign can help us learn empathy!

Why We Need Diversity

Don't dismiss diversity as an overused buzzword. Diversity in our environment, our workplaces, and our communities can help us live healthier lives.

https://pixabay.com/users/geralt

“Have You No Sense of Decency?”

Have we reached the tipping point? Have we heard enough bullying from high political office? When do we say, no more, enough is enough?

The Recipe for Building Empathy

Before we can get to empathy, we need to set the stage with a foundation of emotional stability.

There’s No Dark Side to Empathy, Just People with Dark Sides

Empathy is made up of numerous discrete skills. When we mistake empathy for its parts, we risk conflating it with bad behavior.

When Tribalism Goes Bad

If being a member of a group can help us to live well, what happens when our groups are built on anger and hate?

Fairness Is Good, But Empathy Is Better

We may think that all we need to do is treat each other fairly, but that is not enough, nor realistic. Knowing the best way to treat others comes from empathy.

Seeing nothing, hearing nothing, leaves you with nothing

Out of Touch Leadership

Are you surprised by the comments of a boss or of politicians who show how little they understand the lives of regular folks? It is not surprising because power blocks empathy.

Happy New Year!

Who Needs Another New Year's Resolution?

The last thing you might want is another New Year's resolution. But what if there is a new way to behave that will benefit us and those around us, wouldn't that be worth trying?

Five Ways Empathy Is Good for Your Health

When we think of empathy the focus is on others, we don't consider what it does for us. Empathy is indeed about others, but engaging in empathy is also good for us.

What We Say Matters

Words express our emotions, what we are thinking and feeling. Those emotions are read by others, and influence how others respond to us. Our words matter.

Lady Liberty with her beacon of welcome

Empathy for Immigrants

Have you ever wondered about your ancestors and what was it like for them to come to this country? Now use empathy to imagine that they were coming today.

When We Don’t Apologize

Mistakes happen. How do we get past them and repair the damage? Apologizing is an important way. And empathy plays a big part in helping us apologize.

What a Lack of Social Empathy Looks Like

On the anniversary of Charlottesville, we are reminded of how destructive a lack of social empathy can be.

The Building Blocks of Empathy

Human beings share the potential to experience the full scope of empathy. We can all work to develop the building blocks that lead to empathy.

Empathy Is More Than “I Hear You”

If we step into the place of another we might feel empathy, but not necessarily. Empathy is complex and takes a number of unconscious and conscious abilities to make it happen.