Abstract
This article presents a social work model of empathy that reflects the latest interdisciplinary research findings on empathy. The model reflects the social work commitment to social justice. The three model components are: 1) the affective response to another’s emotions and actions; 2) the cognitive processing of one’s affective response and the other person’s perspective; and 3) the conscious decision-making to take empathic action. Mirrored affective responses are involuntary, while cognitive processing and conscious decision-making are voluntary. The affective component requires healthy, neural pathways to function appropriately and accurately. The cognitive aspects of perspective-taking, self-awareness, and emotion regulation can be practiced and cultivated, particularly through the use of mindfulness techniques. Empathic action requires that we move beyond affective responses and cognitive processing toward utilizing social work values and knowledge to inform our actions. By introducing the proposed model of empathy, we hope it will serve as a catalyst for discussion and future research and development of the model. Key Words: Empathy, Social Empathy, Social Cognitive Neuroscience
Highlights
Ask a social worker if empathy is important to practice, and the response is likely to be “yes.” Ask for a social work definition or social work conceptual model of empathy, and the response is likely to be “is there one?” Other disciplines have attempted to define empathy and construct models to explain what it is
The model we propose consists of three components, all of which build upon the prior part: 1) the affective response to another’s emotions and actions; 2) the cognitive processing of one’s affective response as well as the other person’s perspective; and 3) the conscious decision-making to take empathic action
Empathic action requires that we move beyond affective responses and cognitive processing toward utilizing social work values and knowledge to inform our action choices
Summary
Ask a social worker if empathy is important to practice, and the response is likely to be “yes.” Ask for a social work definition or social work conceptual model of empathy, and the response is likely to be “is there one?” Other disciplines have attempted to define empathy and construct models to explain what it is. The outcomes are divided into two categories, intrapersonal and interpersonal, including affective response (physiologically feeling something), and cognitive processing of attribution (figuring out how the other person feels and why based on the observed behaviors) His model, while comprehensive and inclusive of all. A great deal of research in the field of social cognitive neuroscience has emerged identifying the biophysical components that mediate empathy in the brain (Decety & Jackson, 2004; Decety & Lamm, 2006; Decety & Moriguchi, 2007) This new neuroscience uses sophisticated brain imaging equipment to confirm what many have suspected for years: that when we see another person’s actions (for example pain, laughing or crying), our bodies respond as if we feel a degree of that action too. As the infant is hard-wired to imitate, it does smile back, delighting the adult, which gives the infant positive reinforcement for the mirroring
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
