The empathy-altruism hypothesis is a theory in psychology that suggests when we feel empathy for someone, we are motivated to help them—not because we gain something, but simply because we care. In other words, true empathy can lead to selfless behavior, where the goal is to improve someone else’s well-being, not our own. This idea […]
Empathy Deficit Disorder (EDD) is a term that has been used—primarily in popular psychology—to describe a persistent difficulty in understanding or caring about other people’s emotions, perspectives, or needs. However, it’s important to note: EDD is not an official diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) or recognized as a formal […]
Strategic empathy is the ability to understand another person’s emotions, thoughts, and perspective—and then use that understanding to guide your response in a purposeful way. Unlike spontaneous or automatic empathy, which arises naturally, strategic empathy is intentional. It involves both emotional insight and thoughtful action, especially in situations that require problem-solving, negotiation, or conflict resolution. […]
In psychology, feelings refer to the conscious experience of emotions. They are what we become aware of when we notice that something is happening inside us. While emotions are automatic and often unconscious reactions to situations, feelings are our personal, mental interpretation of those emotional states. They give us insight into what we value, how […]
We often use the words “feelings” and “emotions” as if they mean the same thing. In everyday conversation, saying “I feel sad” or “I have an emotion of sadness” might seem interchangeable. But in psychology, there is a subtle yet meaningful difference between the two. Understanding this difference can help us become more self-aware and […]