The term “empathy” is used to describe a wide range of experiences. Emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling. Show
Contemporary researchers often differentiate between two types of empathy: “Affective empathy” refers to the sensations and feelings we get in response to others’ emotions; this can include mirroring what that person is feeling, or just feeling stressed when we detect another’s fear or anxiety. “Cognitive empathy,” sometimes called “perspective taking,” refers to our ability to identify and understand other people’s emotions. Studies suggest that people with autism spectrum disorders have a hard time empathizing. Empathy seems to have deep roots in our brains and bodies, and in our evolutionary history. Elementary forms of empathy have been observed in our primate relatives, in dogs, and even in rats. Empathy has been associated with two different pathways in the brain, and scientists have speculated that some aspects of empathy can be traced to mirror neurons, cells in the brain that fire when we observe someone else perform an action in much the same way that they would fire if we performed that action ourselves. Research has also uncovered evidence of a genetic basis to empathy, though studies suggest that people can enhance (or restrict) their natural empathic abilities. Having empathy doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll want to help someone in need, though it’s often a vital first step toward compassionate action. For more: Read Frans de Waal’s essay on “The Evolution of Empathy” and Daniel Goleman’s overview of different forms of empathy, drawing on the work of Paul Ekman. What are the Limitations?
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What Will Help You Persuade Your Political Opponents?By John Sanford | October 5, 2022Just in time for the midterm elections, a new study finds that believing in empathy makes your political arguments more persuasive. Take our quiz to find out which one of our nine political typology groups is your best match, compared with a nationally representative survey of more than 10,000 U.S. adults by Pew Research Center. You may find some of these questions are difficult to answer. That’s OK. In those cases, pick the answer that comes closest to your view, even if it isn’t exactly right. Where do you fit in the political typology? Are you a Faith and Flag Conservative? Progressive Left? Or somewhere in between? Take our quiz to find out which one of our nine political typology groups is your best match, compared with a nationally representative survey of more than 10,000 U.S. adults by Pew Research Center. You may find some of these questions are difficult to answer. That’s OK. In those cases, pick the answer that comes closest to your view, even if it isn’t exactly right. If you had to choose, would you rather have… A smaller government providing fewer services A bigger government providing more services When you say you favor a bigger government providing more services, do you think it would be better to… Modestly expand on current government services Greatly expand on current government services Which of the following statements come closest to your view? America’s openness to people from all over the world is essential to who we are as a nation If America is too open to people from all over the world, we risk losing our identity as a nation In general, would you say experts who study a subject for many years are… Usually BETTER at making good policy decisions about that subject than other people Usually WORSE at making good policy decisions about that subject than other people NEITHER BETTER NOR WORSE at making good policy decisions about that subject than other people Thinking about increased trade of goods and services between the U.S. and other nations in recent decades, would you say that the U.S. has… Gained more than it has lost because increased trade has helped lower prices and increased the competitiveness of some U.S. businesses Lost more than it has gained because increased trade has cost jobs in manufacturing and other industries and lowered wages for some U.S. workers How much more, if anything, needs to be done to ensure equal rights for all Americans regardless of their racial or ethnic backgrounds? A lot A little Nothing at all Which comes closer to your view about what needs to be done to ensure equal rights for all Americans regardless of their racial or ethnic backgrounds — even if neither is exactly right? Most U.S. laws and major institutions need to be completely rebuilt because they are fundamentally biased against some racial and ethnic groups While there are many inequities in U.S. laws and institutions, necessary changes can be made by working within the current systems Which of the following statements comes closest to your view? Business corporations make too much profit Most corporations make a fair and reasonable amount of profit How much, if at all, would it bother you to regularly hear people speak a language other than English in public places in your community? A lot Some Not much Not at all On a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 means you feel as cold and negative as possible and 100 means you feel as warm and positive as possible, how do you feel toward… How do you feel toward Democrats? How do you feel toward Republicans? Which of these statements best describes your opinion about the United States? The U.S. stands above all other countries in the world The U.S. is one of the greatest countries in the world, along with some others There are other countries that are better than the U.S. How much of a problem, if any, would you say each of the following are in the country today? People being too easily offended by things others say Major problem Minor problem Not a problem People saying things that are very offensive to others Major problem Minor problem Not a problem Which comes closer to your view of candidates for political office, even if neither is exactly right? I usually feel like… There is at least one candidate who shares most of my views None of the candidates represent my views well In general, how much do White people benefit from advantages in society that Black people do not have? A great deal A fair amount Not too much Not at all Do you think greater social acceptance of people who are transgender (people who identify as a gender that is different from the sex they were assigned at birth) is… Very good for society Somewhat good for society Neither good nor bad for society Somewhat bad for society Very bad for society Overall, would you say people who are convicted of crimes in this country serve… Too much time in prison Too little time in prison About the right amount of time in prison Which of the following statements comes closest to your view? Religion should be kept separate from government policies Government policies should support religious values and beliefs In the future, do you think… U.S. policies should try to keep it so America is the only military superpower It would be acceptable if another country became as militarily powerful as the U.S. Group results are updated every 6 hours. If you do not see recently posted results please wait and refresh the page. What statement best describes politics?Which of the following statements best describes the term "politics"? Conflicts over the character, membership, and policies of any organization to which people belong.
What is the best definition of politics quizlet?What is the best definition of politics? the social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by certain individuals and groups.
What is politics in your own words?Politics is the way that people living in groups make decisions. Politics is about making agreements between people so that they can live together in groups such as tribes, cities, or countries. In large groups, such as countries, some people may spend a lot of their time making such agreements.
What best describes the relationship between politics and government?Terms in this set (15)
" " can be described as a system or an organization for exercising authority of a body of people. In the relationship between politics and government: politics is the process or activity through which power is gained and lost, whereas government is a system for exercising authority.
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