The Neuroscience of Empathy, Compassion, and Self-Compassion

Description

The Neuroscience of Empathy, Compassion, and Self-Compassion provides contemporary perspectives on the three related domains of empathy, compassion and self-compassion (ECS). It informs current research, stimulates further research endeavors, and encourages continued and creative philosophical and scientific inquiry into the critical societal constructs of ECS. Examining the growing number of electrocortical (EEG Power Spectral, Coherence, Evoked Potential, etc.) studies and the sizeable body of exciting neuroendocrine research (e.g., oxytocin, dopamine, etc.) that have accumulated over decades, this reference is a unique and comprehensive approach to empathy, compassion and self-compassion. Provides perspectives on empathy, compassion and self-compassion (ECS), including discussions of cruelty, torture, killings, homicides, suicides, terrorism and other examples of empathy/compassion erosion Addresses autonomic nervous system (vagal) reflections of ECS Discusses recent findings and understanding of ECS from mirror neuron research Covers neuroendocrine manifestations of ECS and self-compassion and the neuroendocrine enhancement Examines the neuroscience research on the enhancement of ECS Includes directed-meditations (mindfulness, mantra, Metta, etc.) and their effects on ECS and the brain Cover Title page Copyright page Dedication Contents Contributors Preface Chapter 1 - What Is This Feeling That I Have for Myself and for Others? Contemporary Perspectives on Empathy, Compassion, and S... Origins Definitions Empathy Compassion Self-Compassion And Their Absence: A World Without Empathy, Compassion, or Self-Compassion Interrogatives and Polemics References Chapter 2 - The Brain That Feels Into Others: Toward a Neuroscience of Empathy Definitional Quandaries of Empathy Phylogeny and Comparative Ethology of Empathy Contextual Factors Concerning Empathy State-Dependent Aspects Trait-Dependent Aspects Measuring Empathy in Humans Historical Aspects Novel Experimental Procedures Brain Mechanisms Involved in Empathy Empathy in Neuropsychiatric Disorders Summary and Future Directions References Further Reading Chapter 3 - The Brain that Longs to Care for Others: The Current Neuroscience of Compassion Compassion The Emotional Experience of Compassion The Intention to Help Theory of Mind Bottom-Up Experiencing versus Top-Down Regulation An Integrated Theory of the Neuroscience of Compassion Directions for Future Research References Chapter 4 - The Brain That Longs to Care for Itself: The Current Neuroscience of Self-Compassion Self-Compassion The Evolution of Compassion and of Self-Compassion The Components of Self-Compassion Self-Kindness versus Self-Judgment Mindfulness versus Over-Identification Mindfulness and Attentional Control Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation Mindfulness and Self-Awareness A General Overview of the Neuroscience of Mindfulness Common-Humanity versus Isolation The Neuroscience of Self-Compassion Directions for Future Research References Chapter 5 - Sometimes I Get So Mad I Could …: The Neuroscience of Cruelty Defining Cruelty Causes of Cruelty: Dehumanization and Otherization Neural Markers of Dehumanization and Otherization Why We Are Cruel: The Role of Threat Responses Morality and Cruelty Everyday Cruelty: Anger, Aggression, and Hatred Anger and Aggression Hatred Jealousy Envy and Schadenfreude The Neuroscience of Populations Characterized by Cruelty Cruelty and Personality Disorders Summary of the Neuroscience of Cruelty References Further Readings Chapter 6 - Reflections of Others and of Self: The Mirror Neuron System’s Relationship to Empathy Discovery of MNs and Attempts to Measure Them Using Neuroimaging to Infer MN Activation Putative Measures of MNs and Empathy Does Mu Suppression Reflect MNs? Yes, and then Some Beta Rhythms and Mns Do MNs Constitute or Contribute to Action Understanding? Self–Other Discrimination in the MN System Conclusions and Directions for Future Research References Chapter 7 - Why Does It Feel So Good to Care for Others and for Myself? Overview and Questions Caring for Others: Empathy and Compassion Vasopressin Preclinical Research Clinical Research Oxytocin Preclinical Research Clinical Research OXTR Polymorphisms Intranasal OT Administration Studies OT Release Studies Oxytocin and the Interactionist Perspective Caring for the Self: Self-Compassion Preclinical Research Clinical Research Conclusions and Directions for Future Research References Chapter 8 - Can We Change Our Mind About Caring for Others? The Neuroscience of Systematic Compassion Training Introduction and Scope of the Review Questions to Consider Compassion Training Techniques Reviewed Compassion Training Programs Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) Project for Empathy and Compassion Education (PEACE) Highly Experienced Meditators The Neuroscience of Systematic Compassion Training Highly Experienced Meditators Exhibit Distinct Patterns of Brain Activity Brief Compassion Training and Neurobiology Overlapping but Distinct Systems Directions for Future Research Understanding the Current Limitations Future Studies References Chapter 9 - Compassion Training from an Early Buddhist Perspective: The Neurological Concomitants of the Brahmavihāras The Brahmavihāras in Early Buddhist Soteriology Attentional Foundations of Contemplative Practice The Neural Concomitants of Brahmavihāra Practices Conclusions and Directions for Future Research References Further Readings Chapter 10 - The Language and Structure of Social Cognition: An Integrative Process of Becoming the Other Introduction The Taxonomy of Social Cognition The Role of Empathy in the Social Cognition Lexicon What is Compassion? Unifying Principles: Becoming/Knowing the Other The Principle of Phylogenetic Continuity The Principle of Ontogenetic Continuity Constraints Conclusions References Chapter 11 - Where Caring for Self and Others Lives in the Brain, and How It Can Be Enhanced and Diminished: Observations on the... Empathy, Compassion, and Self-Compassion Empathy Compassion Self-Compassion Cruelty Mirror Neurons Hormones Training Brahmaviharas Social Cognition An Integrated Portrait of Compassion The Empathy-to-Compassion (EtoC) Model Final Thoughts References Index Back Cover