Recent
evidence shows that adopting an analytic frame of mind suppresses brain
areas involved in empathy, and emotionally engaging with others
suppresses brain areas involved in analytic thought. This presents a
challenge for contexts that require both forms of thought.
Managers, teachers and doctors all have
professional roles in which optimal performance depends both on a
capacity for clear analytic thought, and on their ability to
emotionally resonate with others. This panel brings together three
experts in the neuroscience of empathy and how to train it. They
discuss the challenges involved in fostering a balance between
empathy and analysis in professional life, and suggest solutions. Sub Conference:
Science
Anthony Jack, PhD (Tony) is Assistant Professor of Cognitive
Science, Philosophy, and Psychology in the Brain, Mind and Consciousness
laboratory in the Department of Cognitive Science at Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, Ohio.
He says, "I have a PhD in Experimental Psychology and extensive training in
Philosophy and Neuroscience. I started out doing largely theoretical work
on consciousness, but then got interested by the emerging field of brain
imaging. I use fMRI to study attention, consciousness and social processing
in the brain."
Helen Riess, M.D. is Associate Clinical Professor of
Psychiatry,
Harvard Medical School and Director of the Empathy and Relational Science
Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. The mission of the Program is to enhance empathy and
interpersonal relationships in healthcare. She is also Chief Technology
Officer of Empathetics
which offers scientifically based empathy training proven to optimize
interpersonal engagement.
Richard Boyatzis
"Richard
Boyatzis is Professor in the Departments of Organizational
Behavior, Psychology, and Cognitive Science at Case Western
Reserve University, as well as H.R. Horvitz Chair in Family
Business. He is also an Adjunct Professor at ESADE. While at Case,
he has served as Department Chair of Organizational Behavior from
1996-2004, and Associate Dean of Executive Education from
1994-1999. He has won special awards at Case for research, two
awards for teaching, and two awards for service."
Convener: Edwin Rutsch is founding director of the Center for Building a
Culture of Empathy. See
his full Bio here.
Discussion Transcript and Outline:
00:00 Introduction
(transcription pending)
(Video
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