The Empathy Effect

Seven Neuroscience-Based Keys for Transforming the Way We Live, Love, Work, and Connect Across Differences

By: Helen Riess MD, Liz Neporent, Alan Alda - foreword

Narrated by: Alan Alda, Emily Durante

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's summary

“We are all connected on a neurobiological level far more than we have previously realized. Consciously or not, we are in constant, natural resonance with one another’s feelings. When we are engaged in shared mind awareness, the possibilities for mutual aid and collaborative problem solving abound.” -Helen Riess, MD

A Revolutionary Guide for Understanding and Changing the Way We Connect

Empathy is undergoing a new evolution. In a global and interconnected culture, we can no longer afford to identify only with people who seem to be a part of our “tribe.” As Dr. Helen Riess has learned, our capacity for empathy is not just an innate trait - it is also a skill that we can learn and expand. With The Empathy Effect, Dr. Riess presents a definitive resource on empathy: the science behind how it works, new research on how empathy develops from birth to adulthood, and tools for building your capacity to create authentic emotional connection with others in any situation.

Dr. Riess emerged as a leading researcher on empathy by creating a breakthrough training curriculum now used internationally in health care, business, and education. Drawing from this successful program and the latest science, she presents:

• The E.M.P.A.T.H.Y.® method - a powerful seven-step system for understanding and increasing empathy, starting with Eye Contact and ending with Your Response
• How empathy works - a comprehensive synthesis emerging from neuroscience, sociology, developmental psychology, and evolutionary theory
• Tools for recognizing and promoting empathic behavior in yourself and others
• Parenting and teaching empathy in kids - guidance for every stage of development
• Texts, emojis, and digital empathy - the modern challenge of authentic connection in the information age
• Empathy through art and literature - exploring the power of creative expression to expand our emotional experience
• Leading with empathy - how political and business leaders can combine compassion with efficiency through group empathy skills and shared mind intelligence
• Digging deep for empathy - how to reverse scapegoating and recognize shared humanity with those we normally keep at a distance
• Self-compassion - why your ability to express love toward yourself affects every other relationship in your life

“Nourishing empathy lets us help not just ourselves,” says Dr. Riess, “but also everyone we interact with, whether for a moment or a lifetime.” The Empathy Effect is a life-changing book that will revolutionize the way you understand yourself, relate to your loved ones, and connect to every person in your life.

©2018 Helen Riess, MD. (P)2018 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Foreword © by 2018 Alan Alda.

informative read

the information was well presented and relatable. most impact full chapter was the last one on self empathy. liked the scientific research also.

A bit too liberal and less scientific at times

The synopsis led me to believe this was science based, which it is mostly, but then it gets political with a lot of the writer's opinions being expressed from her own words. I believe that discredits much of science based information that is presented early on. There were small bits of information that I did find overall enlightening, so it wasn't a total loss for me. Not bad, but I don't believe I would recommend this book to others.

Automatic/mechanical delivery but important message

Great information that I wish everyone on Earth would take to heart. The delivery was robotic snd either read by a computer or sure sounded that way.

stellar

I loved this book it covers everything about empathy in education, psychology and beyond. please read this.

Good except for random politicizing

You would think a book written about empathy and how it can improve your life and how to incorporate it into your life would not contain politics. It surely does! Randomly in the middle of the book the author goes into a political diatribe. Disappointing for sure that this scientific book is now littered with personal opinion which almost negates the effect of the book. Funnier still the reader who is very mechanical and computerized in her reading becomes very personable reading this part meaning she actually related well to this part of the material and couldn't care less about the rest of the book.
I was hoping this would help me implement change in my healthcare work place. I surely cannot recommend this to any of my coworkers. Since the politicizing is so specific to current events a second edition with those parts edited would actually make this a book that could stand the test of time. But with the current edition it will certainly be thrown out in the near future as politicized garbage.

Narrator sounds like a robot

I sometimes let my iPhone read words from my screen to me and this narrator sounds just like the Siri/robot voice. I haven’t finished the book yet but I’m not sure I can.

Love it;

Great 😃 subject matter. Working in a hospital it's truly appreciated and a great mental reminder 🎗️

Too much focus on social justice

The neuroscience is weak and the social justice messaging is too much. Politicians often use empathy as a rationale for legislation and ultimately to get re-elected but lack empathy for the opposing position.