Empathy, it’s considered a key component in social work practice. But, does that mean that everyone has it and it is easy to learn through practice? I would say no. This recent study suggest that Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT), a practice which links traditional Tibetan Buddhist ‘mindfulness’ with compassion training, allows us to enhance our ability to read the emotional expressions of others and thus improve our empathy and relationships. The training teaches individuals how to analyze and reinterpret their relationships in a positive manner. Here are some comments from the article:
“It’s an intriguing result, suggesting that a behavioral intervention could enhance a key aspect of empathy,” says lead author Jennifer Mascaro, a post-doctoral fellow in anthropology at Emory University. “Previous research has shown that both children and adults who are better at reading the emotional expressions of others have better relationships.”
“The idea is that the feelings we have about people can be trained in optimal ways,” Negi explains. “CBCT aims to condition one’s mind to recognize how we are all inter-dependent, and that everybody desires to be happy and free from suffering at a deep level.”
Although a small experimental study, the results were determined both by behavioural testing and MRI and showed that those that participated in CBCT had become more empathetic.
Do you think this is something that should be considered for use in social work education or practice?
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I do think such training could potentnially greatly benefit social workers. We talk about inclusion and cultural competence in social work, but I think there is an assumption that people going to schools of social work and looking to practice in the field are empathic by nature, yet, as in most assupmtions, it is not universally true.
I feel like it is incredibly tough for a lot of people to maintain empathy, so would you keep it such training as mentioned above at the educational level or also in the field setting beyond school?