The core of empathy education: Streamlining empathy education to increase empathy in young adults

• In Event: Highlighted Session: Situated peace agency

Proposal

While empathy is considered an inherent trait, many scientific studies reveal that it can also be taught and refined by schooling and life situations (Ferrant et al., 2011). Using these lines of thought, Penn State researchers, in partnership with the National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway and UNESCO, developed a curriculum, called Activating Empathy for Undergraduate College Students, designed to teach empathy to students ranging in age from 18 to 25, with the intent of heightening the students’ abilities to empathize with those unlike themselves. The Activating Empathy curriculum includes a 12-hour core module that can be modified to meet the needs of a variety of audiences. The basic module includes topics such as the definition of empathy, conflict resolution, the psychology of empathy, listening skills, and mindfulness exercises. Using Kolb’s model for experiential learning, the lessons include opportunities for abstract conceptualization, active experimentation, concrete experience, and reflective observation (Kolb, 2014).  

The findings of this research indicate that emphasis on four components in an empathy education course for undergraduate students will increase their empathy levels. These areas are (1) the ability to perceive typical emotions in a situation; (2) the ability to respond appropriately to someone else’s emotions; (3) the ability to understand emotions in an interaction; and (4) the ability to separate one’s emotions from another’s emotions. Suggestions for how to incorporate these components into empathy education and everyday education are discussed.

Author

• Mary Kate Berardi, The Pennsylvania State University