Assessing Empathy

by Elizabeth A. Segal, Karen E. Gerdes, Cynthia A. Lietz

Empathy is a widely used term, but it is also difficult to define. In recent years, the field of cognitive neuroscience has made impressive strides in identifying neural networks in the brain related to or triggered by empathy. Still, what exactly do we mean when we say that someone has—or lacks—empathy? How is empathy distinguished from sympathy or pity? And is society truly suffering from an "empathy deficit," as some experts have charged??In Assessing Empathy, Elizabeth A. Segal and colleagues marshal years of research to present a comprehensive definition of empathy, one that links neuroscientific evidence to human service practice. The book begins with a discussion of our current understanding of empathy in neurological, biological, and behavioral terms. The authors explain why empathy is important on both the individual and societal levels. They then introduce the concepts of interpersonal empathy and social empathy, and how these processes can interrelate or operate separately. Finally, they examine the weaknesses of extant empathy assessments before introducing three new, validated the Empathy Assessment Index, the Social Empathy Index, and the Interpersonal and Social Empathy Index.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2017

Reviews

[_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the title implies that this is a book about the tools and methods that are used to measure empathy, the first five chapters of this book focus on the general concept and definition of empathy. Only the last chapter discusses ways of measuring empathy, specifically, a 22 question self-reported questionnaire developed by the authors. Although the introductory discussion of empathy is justifiable, I think the book would have been better served by a title that reflects its general content. (And also a version of the questionnaire that is easily scoreable by laypeople using simple arithmetic. I want to know what I got.)

[Jay Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Academic review of and training on full scope empathy. Really well considered and foundational.

[Mills College Library]

152.41 S4541 2017