공감(empathy)에 대한 신경과학적 설명과 그 교육적 함의

Neuroscientific Explanations of Empathy: Implications for Education

The purpose of this study was to examine the explanations of empathy in neuroscientific studies, and draw out some implications for social and moral education. Especially, the study tried to focus on the origins and mechanisms of empathy. The result is as following. The main explanation of empathy in neuroscience is consist of the theory of evolutionary origin of human brain and some hypothetical theories concerning the phenomena of affective sharing and perspective taking. The relationship of empathy with prosocial or helping behaviors is still to be verified. The findings suggest the need for a more heightened interest in indirect experiences, more use of being-imitated, emotional contagion of positive feelings, and somewhat methodically detached caring of parents and teachers.