TY - JOUR
T1 - Teaching empathy
T2 - A framework rooted in social cognitive neuroscience and social justice
AU - Gerdes, Karen E.
AU - Segal, Elizabeth
AU - Jackson, Kelly
AU - Mullins, Jennifer L.
PY - 2011/12
Y1 - 2011/12
N2 - We propose that a targeted and structured explication of empathy is a useful, if not essential, foundation for social work theory and practice. We outline a social work framework for empathy, one that is rooted in an interdisciplinary context, emphasizes recent findings in the field of social cognitive neuroscience, and yet is embedded in a social work context. The framework lends itself to identifiable education components that social work educators can implement across the curriculum. We can help students understand the basic process of neural pathway development that determines their affective empathic responses and develop and maintain cognitive empathic abilities. In addition, students can learn to use their knowledge, values, and skills, informed by empathy, to take empathic action consciously.
AB - We propose that a targeted and structured explication of empathy is a useful, if not essential, foundation for social work theory and practice. We outline a social work framework for empathy, one that is rooted in an interdisciplinary context, emphasizes recent findings in the field of social cognitive neuroscience, and yet is embedded in a social work context. The framework lends itself to identifiable education components that social work educators can implement across the curriculum. We can help students understand the basic process of neural pathway development that determines their affective empathic responses and develop and maintain cognitive empathic abilities. In addition, students can learn to use their knowledge, values, and skills, informed by empathy, to take empathic action consciously.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79955444419&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=79955444419&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.5175/JSWE.2011.200900085
DO - 10.5175/JSWE.2011.200900085
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:79955444419
SN - 1043-7797
VL - 47
SP - 109
EP - 131
JO - Journal of Social Work Education
JF - Journal of Social Work Education
IS - 1
ER -