Empathy and Relationships

Optimism

The Problem of Connecting Overconfidence With Optimism

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on August 10, 2023

By conflating pessimism for optimism, law students were found to possess strong coping skills, while research has long reflected the opposite.

By conflating pessimism for optimism, law students were found to possess strong coping skills, while research has long reflected the opposite.

Empathy

Empathy and Self-Awareness

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on March 15, 2023

Having empathy toward those we perceive as being members of our own tribe is not a skill; rather, it is instinctual.

Having empathy toward those we perceive as being members of our own tribe is not a skill; rather, it is instinctual.

Friends

My Personal Experience with "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on February 7, 2023

Doing things that cause it to be unsafe for LGBTQ+ people to be open about being LGBTQ+ and not living their lives celibate and alone does not eliminate their existence.

Doing things that cause it to be unsafe for LGBTQ+ people to be open about being LGBTQ+ and not living their lives celibate and alone does not eliminate their existence.

Bias

Unchecked Biases Result in Inaccuracies and Impede Fairness

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on December 24, 2022

While cognitive shortcuts can be beneficial, the same is not true of the implicit biases they cause.

While cognitive shortcuts can be beneficial, the same is not true of the implicit biases they cause.

Bias

When Impartiality Is Required, Bias Management Should Not Be Discretionary

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on July 11, 2022

When human beings accept a job that requires them to act impartially, a necessary boundary is the motivation to overcome personal biases, to the extent possible.

When human beings accept a job that requires them to act impartially, a necessary boundary is the motivation to overcome personal biases, to the extent possible.

People do not know what they do not know, which also means that they do not tend to realize when they are missing or misinterpreting important information.

Bias

Biases Are Not Limited to Social Justice Issues

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on May 25, 2022

Limiting discussions of biases to social justice issues creates the false impression that biases only center around social justice issues.

Limiting discussions of biases to social justice issues creates the false impression that biases only center around social justice issues.

Bias

Experts in Bias Still Possess Infinite Biases

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on May 22, 2022

The more life experiences people have, the more biases they tend to possess, and left unchecked, those biases lead to impaired thinking.

The more life experiences people have, the more biases they tend to possess, and left unchecked, those biases lead to impaired thinking.

Child Development

Unchecked Biases and My Wedding Cake Story

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on April 30, 2022

Teaching children to think critically and not teaching them the skills needed to do so in an unimpaired manner is not helpful, unless that is the ultimate goal.

Teaching children to think critically and not teaching them the skills needed to do so in an unimpaired manner is not helpful, unless that is the ultimate goal.

Bias

Engaging in Perspective-Taking Does Not Always Make One Open-Minded

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on March 8, 2022

Perspective-taking is not the same as reflective thinking and open-mindedness, even though they are related.

Perspective-taking is not the same as reflective thinking and open-mindedness, even though they are related.

Bias

People Can Only Give What They Have and Teach What They Know

Mark B. Baer, Esq. on February 6, 2022

It is unreasonable, unrealistic, and contrary to evidence and research to expect people to give that which they do not possess and to teach that which they do not know.

It is unreasonable, unrealistic, and contrary to evidence and research to expect people to give that which they do not possess and to teach that which they do not know.

The source of quotes, who is using them, and how they are being used matter as much or more than the quotes themselves.

Left unchecked, biases skew people's perception of fairness and empathy, which leads to fairness.

Voting for and supporting policymakers who are sexually prejudiced against LGBTQ people supports a societal hierarchy in which cisgender straight males are on top.

The belief that one’s training, licensure, and regular practice of perspective-taking means that they possess a “wealth of empathy” is inaccurate.

How are your moral judgments impacting human society?

When those who fall outside of the dominant culture are judged because they fall outside of the dominant culture, are they given an equal opportunity?

No, Trump,"hatred, bigotry violence" steming from conflict that's become chronic due to self-segregation by straight white Chrisitans is not from "many sides, on many sides."

Never underestimate the degree to which our emotions influence our processing of information related to decision making.

Confusing "immutable nature" with "lifestyle choices" leads to disrespect, oppression, and "slippery slopes."