The Roots Of Empathy By Daniel Goleman

In chapter 7, “The Roots of Empathy,” Daniel Goleman details the concept of empathy, the ability to know how another person feels. Specifically, he describes how children develop the skill, how certain brain functions affect displays of empathy, and how a lack of empathy influences the actions of dangerous criminals. He explains that empathy expands on self-awareness because it is easier to read others’ emotions when we understand our own. Goleman also stresses that since emotions are rarely worded, but are instead expressed through other actions, 90 percent or more of an emotional message is nonverbal. Goleman provides insight on how empathy develops throughout our childhoods. He notes this feature of emotional communication can be traced to infancy. He reports

Many defects and injuries to the right hemisphere of the brain can affect empathy because cortical brain regions are closely linked to the limbic system. Studies have shown that primates display empathy and possibly even altruism, as they will act to protect another animal they believe to be in danger. Other research into primate behavior revealed that the amygdala-cortical circuitry has an important role in reading and responding to emotions (Goleman, 1994, pg. 103). Human studies have shown that empathy typically requires receptivity and a calm demeanor. Researcher Martin Hoffman has mapped out a natural progression of the trait throughout childhood. When only one year old, children will feel distress when another child cries, and at two years will become more sensitive to nonverbal clues regarding another’s feelings and will act accordingly. By their late childhood, children can understand one’s condition may be affected by unseen factors in their life. It is also noted that empathic responses are directly related to certain moral principles and judgments(Goleman, 1994, pg.