What is Empathy and can I live without it
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Empathy (translation from Greek: "feeling", "passion", "suffering") - aware of the empathy of the current emotional state of another person without losing the feeling of the external origin of this feeling. A person with the ability to empathy is called Empath.
The concept was made by Sigmund Freud. He considered the obligatory skill of any psychoanalyst to put himself in place of his patient.
Do not confuse sympathy with Empathy. The first concerns only the ability to compassion, and the empath can feel the emotions of others: anger, fear, offense, joy.
Let us understand, whether all people are capable of such feelings or for this requires a set of certain qualities.
As empathy manifests
This ability is expressed as the feeling of the emotional state of people with whom the person interacts, as well as with the ability to show feelings as others. Such people are inclined to deep emotional experiences and understanding the dependence of the showing senses from the problem of another person.
For what a person ability to empathize
Without empathy, people are difficult to develop communication skills, incline to a trust relationship.
The absence of such skills can negatively affect the professional side of life.
It is impossible to become a good psychologist, psychoanalyst, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher who does not have a tendency to manifest the feelings, setting himself to the client's place and tolerance to his actions.
Empathy levels
All empathic people are divided into 5 types depending on the depth of the ability to feel:
A type |
Description |
| First | These people are able to determine their feelings. At the same time, they distinguish simple feelings. They can perceive the emotional state of others, but often do not distinguate other people's emotions from their own. Such empath is most often concentrated on their own feelings and emotions. |
| Second | People belonging to such a type, perfectly feel the whole range of other people's sensations. They can consider someone else's emotional state and mood, looking at the person in either to determine their motor skills and movements. |
| The third | They can identify human emotions without its presence (during telephone conversation or correspondence). Clearly distinguish between their condition and experiences from others. |
| Fourth | The fourth level empath can catch and recognize the entire spectrum of emotional manifestations of others. At the same time, they do not need direct contact with man. Often they have increased intuition. It can easily recognize the emotional state and feelings at once several people who are with empath in direct contact. |
| Fifth | People belonging to this type can feel and capture the entire range of emotions around others, but also with the help of their abilities can manage other people's emotions. |
Types of empathy
Emotional
The basis is the repetition of behavior and motility of others in different situations.
Cognitive
The basis of this species is intellectual activity - comparison, analogy, etc.
Predicative
Predicting the behavior of the surrounding people and their emotions in specific situations.
Degree of manifestation of inclination to empathy
Increased empathy (hyperempathy)
It is characterized by increased sensitivity to problems of other people. Such a person takes all over himself, is distinguished by pronounced empathy. Distinctive features: varying, impressionability, feeling of guilt for no reason.
Normal degree
The most common appearance. Such people control their emotions and prefer not to show them from ethical considerations. They can give the will of emotions in a circle of loved ones.
Low
It is characterized by a person's inability to empathy. Such people consider senseless and incomprehensible actions of people in a state of affect and do not take other points of view. In this regard, it is difficult to find a common language with others.
Advantages and disadvantages of ability to empathize
- The advantages relates to the ability to recognize and understand the emotions and the causes of manifested emotions and feelings by other people. This ability allows you to be good friends and good specialists in the areas of work with society.
- The disadvantages include the fact that among the problems of others you can lose yourself, your emotional state. This can happen to a person who does not know how to abstract from other people's problems, perceives everything too close, "Surrerage" other people's situations.
As Empat learn not to lose emotions
- Understand that every person is free to choose how to behave in his life.
- Empath should not interfere in the emotional state of loved ones, if those are not asked about it. It is enough just to take a person as it is and empathy to him.
- To establish mental harmony or choose another type of relax.
- You won't be good for everyone, so you do not need to try to be a friend for everyone. If a person causes you negative emotions and impressions, try to limit communication with him or to reduce it at all.
- Love yourself as you are. Do not try to take the blame for the whole world and heroically save him.
Empathy development - is it possible?
Empathy is a complex concept. Some scientists believe that this ability has a genetic nature and is transmitted by inheritance.
This ability can still be developed. There is a specific technique:
- The correct perception of your own "I" and my feelings. Early recognize and distinguish their shades. It will be the first step for an adequate vision of the emotional experiences of others.
- The ability to manage their own emotions, thoughts and actions plays a big role.
- Learn to understand and take feelings and thoughts around.
- Learn to allocate intonation, facial expressions, gestures. This will help determine the emotional state of a person and what he feels.
