The Development of Empathy: Phenomenology, Structure and Human Nature

by Larysa Zhuravlova, Oleksiy Chebykin

Overview

This thought-provoking volume offers psychological perspectives on the formation of empathy and how this determines both antisocial and prosocial behaviors in individuals. It offers a theoretically grounded and empirically proven integrated approach, helping readers gain a holistic understanding of human nature and the need for empathic interaction between people.

Larysa Zhuravlova and Oleksiy Chebykin study the evolution of empathy, peculiarities from birth to old age, and its role in the moral and spiritual development of a person. Key sections explore theoretical and methodological principles of empathy research, the genesis and development of human empathy, the phylogenetic preconditions for empathy, the psychological features of the ontogenesis of empathy, the key factors in personality development, and the experimental study of empathy.

Considering a vision of a society based on empathic relationships, which could deter discrimination, help resolve environmental issues, harmonize interpersonal relationships, and resolve conflict, this new text is for advanced students of developmental and educational psychology. It will have broad appeal across academic and applied discipines in social and developmental psychology, education, the helping professions, and human development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000403268
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/28/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	276
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Larysa Zhuravlova is Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Higher Education of Ukraine, and Head of the Psychology Department at the Polissia National University.

Oleksiy Chebykin is Doctor of Psychology, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine, founder of the Southern Scientific Center in Odessa, President of the University of South Ukraine, and Head of the Department of Theory and Methods of Practical Psychology.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1 Theoretical and methodological principles of empathy research

1.1. Historical overview, current status, and future of empathy research

1.2. Methodological basis of studying human empathy

1.3. Experience as a meaningful basis of the empathic processes

1.4. Conclusions

2 Conceptualizing the genesis and development of human empathy

2.1. Conceptual basis of the empathy phenomenon

2.2. Structural-dynamic model of elementary and personalized meaning empathy

2.3. Features of transfinite empathy

2.4. Empathy from the standpoint of the psychology of attitudes and activities

2.5. Conclusions

3 Phylogenetic preconditions for the development of human empathy

3.1. Evolutionary development of natural empathy

3.2. Microgenesis mechanisms of natural empathy

3.3. Ontogenetic development of natural empathy

3.4. Conclusions

4 Psychological features of the ontogenesis of human empathy

4.1. Development of empathy in infants

4.2. Dynamics of the development of personalized-meaning empathy in early childhood and preschool age

4.3. Features of empathic attitudes of children at primary school age

4.4. The dynamics of empathy in teenagers and adolescents

4.5. Empathy in adulthood

4.6. Comparative analysis of the ontogenetic development of empathy

4.7. Conclusions

5 Determining factors of personality development in the experimental study of empathy

5.1. Study of individual and typological correlates of empathy

5.2. Empathy and self-awareness

5.3. Correlation between the development of empathy and value-based needs

5.4. Family as an important culturogenic factor in the actualization and development of empathy

5.5. Conclusions

6 Actualization and the development of empathy

6.1. Early school age as a sensitive period for the development of effective forms of empathy

6.2. Development of empathy in junior schoolchildren

6.3. Conclusions

Conclusions

Appendix A: Empathy test for younger schoolchildren

Appendix B: Empathy test for teenagers and adolescents

Appendix C: Empathy test for adults

Editorial Reviews

'This is an in-depth, comprehensive and highly applicable book on the elusive phenomenon of empathy, in which the authors present their original, holistic general psychological concept of the development of human empathy and its attributes. The critical points of development of the empathic personality throughout human life are thoroughly investigated and analysed. There is no doubt in my mind that this book will be of significant interest to both researchers and students, as well as to practicing psychologists, teachers, and parents - in other words, to all those who work in this field.’
Dr. Ephraim Suhir, IEEE, ASME, SPIE, IMAPS, Life Fellow, Portland State University, USA

'The Development of Empathy focuses primarily on the positive aspects of empathy. The authors perceive empathy as an individual's valuable personal resource, rooted in early social experiences accumulated in relationships with loved ones, and that changes in its strength and scope are interrelated with experiences gained in subsequent periods of life. The book is a rich source of knowledge about empathy that will be useful for scientists, students, practitioners and parents interested in educating children as people capable of empathy towards others.’
Hanna Liberska, Head of the Department of Social Psychology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland

From the Publisher