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VOLUME 7 , ISSUE 1 ( January-June, 2019 ) > List of Articles

SHORT COMMUNICATION

Empathy

Sasirekha G, Viji Devanand, Celine D

Keywords : autism spectrum disorder, empathy, psychopathy

Citation Information : G S, Devanand V, D C. Empathy. 2019; 7 (1):39-43.

DOI: 10.5005/NJP-11056-07_01_06

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 01-06-2019

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2019; NA


Abstract

Empathy is the ability to resonate with another person's feelings. It is one of the most important elements of higher social functioning in humans. When empathy is absent, violence, abuse, discrimination and selfishness become common. This elusive capacity has interested researchers from a wide range of disciplines and many studies have been conducted to explore the various aspects of empathy such as its development in childhood and the neural basis of empathy. With increase in the incidence of disorders such as Autism spectrum disorder and psychopathy which are considered to be disorders of empathy, it becomes essential to know about the basic concepts of empathy and its neural basis. Moreover recently researchers have focused on the importance of empathy in patient care and how it can be taught to medical students since it plays an important role in successful clinical practice. This short communication is intended to provide an insight into What empathy is?, Why humans possess it?, How it develops?, What are its social outcomes?, What happens when it's absent? and finally about the therapeutic outcomes of empathy.


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