Question

Write short note on:

Methods to promote empathy.

Explain any two methods to promote empathy.

Explain in your own words any two methods to promote empathy.

Answer the following question in 25 to 30 words.

Explain any two methods of promoting empathy.

Answer 1

Empathy is the capacity to understand and feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, i.e., the capacity to place oneself in another's position. According to Simon Baron-Cohen, there are three components of empathy, viz. cognitive empathy, emotional reactivity, and social skills. Empathy builds a sense of security and trust. It is closely related to emotional intelligence and is a key to successful relationships.

Empathy can be promoted by using the following methods -

1. Increase social interactions: Simple method is to have a person interact more frequently with people who need help. With such frequent contacts, the individual truly begins to understand the perspectives and motives of the people who are being helped.
2. Connecting through similarities: Point out similarities with another person, e.g., same type of work, having the same type of problem or goals, growing up in the same part of the country, etc. This may lead us to realize that we all are the part of the same world.
3. Ask yourself what you are feeling: The first step towards understanding others is understanding yourself. Research shows that people who are more accurate in judging their own motives and emotions are able to empathize better.
4. Challenge yourself: When you undertake something which is quite challenging and you have to struggle hard to achieve the goal, you are more likely to be humble and humility is a key enabler of empathy.
5. Cultivate a sense of curiosity: Try replacing the habit of judging by the new habit of curiosity. You tend to ask more frequently when curious, leading you to open up and develop a stronger understanding of people around you.
6. Widen our social circle: Contact with people of different races, cultures, and viewpoints helps to increase empathy towards them at a neurological level.